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Radioembolisation (TARE / SIRT, yttrium-90)

Millions of tiny radioactive glass or resin beads are injected into the liver artery, lodging in the tumour and irradiating it from within.

Yttrium-90 microspheres (TheraSphere glass, SIR-Spheres resin) deliver beta radiation to hepatic tumours. Randomised trials versus sorafenib in advanced HCC (SARAH, SIRveNIB) were negative for OS but showed better tolerability and response; personalised dosimetry (DOSISPHERE-01) and radiation segmentectomy (LEGACY) established curative-intent use in early-stage disease. Standard alternative to TACE and a bridge or downstaging tool to transplant.

Generic schematic · not to scale · placeholder for the radiation front
Linac head + MLC · Target (PTV) · Gantry arc · Cone-beam CT guidance

How it works

Arterial delivery of 20-60 µm microspheres carrying 90Y (beta emitter, 2.5 mm mean path, 64 h half-life); dose planned from 99mTc-MAA mapping and lung shunt fraction.

Strengths
  • Outpatient, single session
  • Effective in portal vein thrombosis where TACE is contraindicated
  • Radiation segmentectomy can be curative for small tumours
Limitations
  • Radioembolisation-induced liver disease
  • Failed to beat sorafenib on OS in advanced disease
  • Lung shunting excludes some patients
Since
2002

Latest papers

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Literature trend11 papers in the last 12 months+38% vs prior 12How this is computed
Latest papers · live from Europe PMC
Open in Europe PMC

Query for this technology: (TITLE:"Radioembolisation" OR ABSTRACT:"Radioembolisation" OR TITLE:"TARE / SIRT, yttrium-90" OR ABSTRACT:"TARE / SIRT, yttrium-90") AND (cancer OR tumor OR tumour OR oncology OR carcinoma OR lymphoma OR leukemia OR leukaemia OR myeloma OR sarcoma OR melanoma OR glioma). Results are unfiltered search hits about Radioembolisation (TARE / SIRT, yttrium-90), not a curated reading list.

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