Radioembolizációt

Radioembolizációt, also known as selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT), is a minimally invasive procedure used primarily to treat certain types of liver cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and colorectal cancer that has spread to the liver. It involves delivering targeted radiation directly to cancerous tumors within the liver. The treatment utilizes tiny radioactive particles, typically spheres of yttrium-90 (Y-90), which are injected into the hepatic artery supplying blood to the tumor. These radioactive microspheres lodge in the small blood vessels of the tumor, delivering a high dose of radiation while sparing surrounding healthy liver tissue.

The procedure begins with a diagnostic angiogram to map the blood vessels of the liver and identify the feeding arteries of the tumor. Following this, a small catheter is inserted into an artery, usually in the groin, and guided to the hepatic artery. The radioactive microspheres are then infused through the catheter. The Y-90 emits beta particles, which have a short range and high energy, effectively destroying cancer cells within a few millimeters of the spheres. Radioembolizációt is typically performed as an outpatient procedure or with a short hospital stay. Potential side effects can include fatigue, nausea, and abdominal pain, which are generally manageable. This therapy is a valuable option for patients whose cancer is not suitable for surgery or other treatments.