SIR-Spheres

SIR-Spheres is a medical treatment used in interventional radiology to treat liver cancer. It involves the use of small, radioactive beads called SIR-Spheres, which are delivered directly to the liver tumors via the hepatic artery.

Overview

SIR-Spheres are a form of radioembolization, a procedure that combines embolization and radiation therapy. The SIR-Spheres are made of resin and are about the size of a grain of sand. They are filled with the radioactive isotope Yttrium-90, which delivers targeted radiation to the liver tumors.

Procedure

The procedure to deliver SIR-Spheres is minimally invasive and is performed by an interventional radiologist. The SIR-Spheres are delivered through a catheter, which is inserted into the hepatic artery through a small incision in the groin. The SIR-Spheres are then carried by the blood flow to the liver tumors, where they lodge in the small blood vessels and deliver their radiation dose.

Indications

SIR-Spheres are used to treat patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) that has spread to the liver. They can be used alone or in combination with other treatments such as chemotherapy.

Side Effects

Like all medical treatments, SIR-Spheres can have side effects. These can include fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea, and fever. More serious side effects can include liver damage and radiation-induced ulcers.

See Also

• Radioembolization
• Yttrium-90
• Hepatocellular carcinoma
• Metastatic colorectal cancer