TARE Therapy for Liver Cancer in Delhi

TARE is recommended for the treatment of intermediate to advanced stage of liver cancer (HCC). TARE involves targeted deposition of radioactive isotope of yttrium (Y90) deep inside the tumor by angiography methods. The deposited Y90 radioactive isotope emits gamma radiation which kills the tumor cells in its vicinity.  

·        TARE is done via angiography i.e. a catheter is inserted into a blood vessel (usually in the groin) and the same catheter is guided towards the liver under the guidance of X rays in an angiography suite. Once the catheter reaches the liver it is further guided to the blood vessel supplying the tumor. Now the catheter is precisely in the blood vessel which is supplying the tumor. Now Y90 particles are injected into the catheter so as to deliver them precisely into the tumor. The entire process is done under local anesthesia

·        TARE is done in 2 steps about a week apart. Step 1 is angiography of liver and studying the blood supply of the cancer. This is followed by injection of technetium labelled albumin (called MAA) into the tumor and studying the pattern of its distribution. Step 1 mainly focusses on calculating the dose of Y90 required to do the TARE treatment successfully and safely. The entire process takes a few hours and once all the calculations are done patient is discharged from the hospital. 

·        To perform the step 2 of the TARE treatment, fresh dose of Y90 medicine is procured. It is noteworthy that Y90 has a very short shelf life (t 1/2 = 2.7 days) and as such it is freshly ordered and used. 

·        The step 2 is usually performed a week later when the Y90 dose becomes available. Patient is taken for angiography of liver again and Y90 is precisely delivered to the area having cancer via a catheter. The entire process is done under local anesthesia and takes about an hour or two. This completes the TARE treatment and patient can be discharges after few hours of observation.

·        TARE treatment is very well tolerated by the patients and side effects of TARE are usually absent or very mild which may include stomach acidity, fatigue or weakness etc. 

·        To assess the result of the TARE treatment some blood tests and a contrast scan (CT scan of MRI scan) is done after 3 months of the treatment (sometimes earlier). 

·        TARE treatment has several advantages; it has very mild side effects, it needs short hospital stay, the results are usually better than other forms of treatment, it can be done even in advanced stages of the cancer even when tumor has spread in the veins of the liver (portal vein). 

FAQs

·        What is the difference between external radiation and Y90 treatment?

TARE treatment delivers the source of the radiation (i.e. Y90) deep into the tumor bed and its effects are only in its vicinity. External radiation has to cross the skin and boy wall to reach into the deep located tumor.

·        How many times is TARE treatment required for liver cancer?

It is mostly performed only once and does not need repeated cycles of treatment. 

·        Do I need to stay in isolation after TARE treatment because of the radiation emitted by Y90?

No, isolation from family members is not needed after TARE treatment. 

·        Why is step 1 (MAA) needed in TARE treatment?

Step 1 of TARE treatment is done to calculate the dose of Y90 needed for successful treatment. Also, it is done to assess the safety of the TARE treatment in each patient by studying any shunts which can leak the Y90 medicine to other areas of body especially lungs and stomach.