Treatment for liver tumours

Advanced pancreatic NETs often spread to the liver. The tumours on the liver are called metastases.

Treatments to control them include:

Radiofrequency ablation and microwave ablation

Using an ultrasound or CT scan as a guide, the doctor inserts a fine needle through the abdomen into the liver tumour. The needle sends out radio waves or microwaves that produce heat and destroy the cancer cells. The treatment takes about 15 minutes and you can usually go home after a few hours. Side effects, including pain or fever, can be managed with medicines.

Transarterial chemoembolisation

In this procedure, the doctor inserts a catheter into the hepatic artery, which supplies blood to the liver. A chemotherapy drug is released into the artery, along with tiny particles called microspheres, which block the flow of blood into the tumour. This causes the tumour to shrink. The procedure is performed by an interventional radiologist.

Selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT)

Also known as radioembolisation, this is done by an interventional radiologist. The radiologist inserts a catheter into the liver’s main artery and then delivers tiny radioactive beads (SIR-spheres) to the liver through the catheter. The beads give a high dose of radiation to the tumour while causing little damage to normal liver tissue.

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