Description:
Colorectal cancer arises in the colon or rectum. It is the second most common cancer in women and the third most common cancer in men in the UK. Around 50% of colorectal cancer patients will develop recurrence within 5 years of initial diagnosis, with the liver being the most common site for metastatic disease. Selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) is used to treat non-resectable hepatic metastases secondary to colorectal cancer, usually in combination with hepatic arterial chemotherapy.
The standard method of treatment for patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer is surgical resection, but fewer than 10% of patients are suitable for operation. For patients with non-resectable hepatic metastases, treatment options include systematic chemotherapy, radiotherapy, cryotherapy, alcohol injection and laser photocoagulation.
Radioactive spheres are injected using a syringe into the hepatic artery via a trans-femoral catheter or a permanently implanted port with a catheter to the hepatic artery. For the placement of this access port patients may need to undergo a laparotomy.
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