Case Report
Copyright ©2007 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jun 7, 2007; 13(21): 3016-3019
Published online Jun 7, 2007. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i21.3016
Complete eradication of hepatic metastasis from colorectal cancer by Yttrium-90 SIRT
Sean Garrean, Amanda Muhs, James T Bui, Michael J Blend, Charles Owens, William S Helton, N Joseph Espat
Sean Garrean, Amanda Muhs, William S Helton, Nocif J Espat, Department of Surgery, the University of Illinois at Chicago, 840 S. Wood St. MC 958, Chicago IL 60612, United States
James T Bui, Charles Owens, Department of Interventional Radiology, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1740 W. Taylor St, Room 4283. MC 931, Chicago IL 60612, United States
Michael J Blend, Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1740 W. Taylor St, Room 4283. MC 931, Chicago IL 60612, United States
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: N Joseph Espat, MD, Associate Professor, Hepatobiliary and Oncologic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The University of Illinois at Chicago, 840 S. Wood St. MC 958, Chicago, IL 60612, United States. espat@miscsurgeons.com
Telephone: +1-312-3551493 Fax: +1-312-3551987
Received: February 19, 2007
Revised: March 16, 2007
Accepted: March 26, 2007
Published online: June 7, 2007
Abstract

Yttrium-90 (Y-90) radioembolization, also known as selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT), is a regional hepatic therapy used in the treatment of unresectable colorectal cancer (CRC) liver metastases. In SIRT, Y-90 impregnated microspheres are injected into the VASCULAR SUPPLY of hepatic tumor, leading to selective irradiation and necrosis of tumor TISSUE. While several studies demonstrate improved local control and survival with SIRT, the specific indications for this therapy have yet to be defined. Typically, SIRT is given in combination with chemotherapy as multimodal treatment for unresectable hepatic CRC. However, it HAS ALSO FOUND INCREASING USE as a salvage therapy in chemo-refractory patients. Herein, the authors describe their experience with SIRT as “stand alone” therapy in a surgically-prohibitive, chemotherapy naive patient with hepatic CRC metastasis. The results suggest that Y-90 SIRT may have potential applications beyond its usual role as a palliative or salvage therapy for unresectable hepatic CRC.

Keywords: Yttrium-90, SIRT; Radioembolization; Hepatic metastasis; Ablation