The value of radioembolisation therapy on metastatic liver tumours - a single centre experience.

Abstract

Objective: Local treatments used in metastatic liver tumours efficiently control the disease and survival. Transarterial radioembolisation (TARE) is a safely used locoregional treatment method. We aim to investigate the impact of TARE on different kinds of metastatic liver tumours and the effect of pre-treatment clinical findings.

Material and methods: The patients with metastatic liver tumours referred to our department for radioembolisation were retrospectively evaluated. All patients were given a Y-90 glass microsphere after being selected by the appropriate clinical and imaging criteria, lung shunt fraction levels, vascular investigation, and macro aggregated albumin (MAA) scintigraphy performed in the angiography unit.

Results: Thirty-four (17 women, 17 men) patients were suitable for the treatment. Patients were treated with 115.88±47.84 Gy Y-90 glass Microspheres. The mean survival rate was 14.59±12.59 months after treatment. Higher survival rates were detected in patients who had higher pre-treatment serum albumin levels. The optimum cut-off value of albumin to predict response to treatment was 4 g/dl with 88.89% sensitivity, 62.50% specificity, 72.73% PPV and 83.33% NPV. Furthermore, one unit increase in age increased mortality 1.152 times in our patient group.

Conclusion: Radioembolisation is a safe and efficient method for controlling metastatic liver disease. Albumin levels significantly affect predicting response; higher albumin levels are related to higher survival rates. Furthermore, older age positively correlated with mortality rates in our patient group.