Overview
TARE "Trans-Arterial Radio Embolization" treatment is among these treatments. In this method, irradiating microspheres are sent by entering the artery feeding the cancer tissue through the artery.
Radioembolization therapy is administered with irradiating microspheres called Yttrium-90 (Y-90) into the artery feeding liver cancer and is a newer treatment method than chemoembolization.
This method, which is mostly used in liver cancers, is performed with angiography, just like chemoembolization treatment. However, it is not yet used in the treatment of other types of cancer.
Radioembolization therapy is generally applied among the last options in the group of patients who cannot be treated surgically and who have not benefited from standard chemotherapy.
Since the drugs used in the chemoembolization process are limited, some tumors do not respond to these drugs and the drugs become ineffective.
In the radioembolization process, very small diameter particles (microspheres) that emit radiation directly, not drugs, are given with angiography.
Radiation is applied in the 5 mm area around the vein where these globules are given.
Tens of thousands of these microspheres are injected into the tumor tissue. Since its area of influence is very limited, it does not affect any tissue other than the liver. In this treatment method, angiography is performed twice.
First of all, the distribution and volume of the tumor in the liver are calculated by methods such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.
Angiography is performed twice in this method
Radioembolization angio method is defined as a treatment method applied to cancers in the liver, cancers such as large intestine, pancreas, spread to the liver.
In the radioembolization procedure, angiography is performed twice, with an interval of 15-20 days. In the first, the entire vascular system of the liver is displayed.
By applying a special test drug to the tumor area, it is monitored how much of these particles are directed to the lungs. If a large amount of particles goes to the lungs, it can be decided not to do the treatment.
In the second angiography to be applied during the treatment, it is expected that 15 days will pass. Since the life of the microspheres used in the treatment is very short, they must be used on the day they are produced.
The second angiography, that is, the treatment angiography, usually takes a shorter time than the first. The hepatic vein is reached with a thin plastic angio catheter by entering through the inguinal vein.
From here, films showing the tumor vessels are taken again. By determining the tumor tissue and the artery feeding it, the radioembolizing substance (radiating particles) prepared during the procedure is given in the vessel feeding the tumor.
It is done with local anesthesia
Since the procedure is performed under local anesthesia like any angiography, the patient does not feel pain.
Since angiography is performed only twice, it needs to be applied approximately 15-20 days apart. The first angiography is called preparatory angiography, and the second is called treatment angiography.
Each of these procedures, together with the stages of local anesthesia, both angiograms are easy and comfortable procedures for the patient. Each of these procedures takes 45-60 minutes.
After the first angiography, patients can go home the same day. After the second angiography, it is usually necessary to stay in the hospital for one day.Tedaviden sonra bir ya da ikinci ayda PET tomografi, tomografi ya da emar görüntüleme ile kontroller yapılması gerekiyor.