Selective internal radiation therapy for neuroendocrine liver metastases

Abstract

Selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) with yttrium-90 (90Y) microspheres is a promising treatment option for unresectable neuroendocrine tumour liver metastases (NETLM). Liver metastases, which present in 46−93% of patients at time of diagnosis depending of origin of the primary tumour, are a cause of significant mortality and morbidity. For this reason, patients with NETLM require optimal clinical management, using the combined skills of a multidisciplinary team. The options available can be categorised as follows: • Surgical, with or without ablation, e.g. RFA • Medical, e.g. somatostatin analogues and/or chemotherapy • Nuclear medicine, e.g. Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT)