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Selective internal radiation therapy for colorectal metastases in the liver

 
Guidance issued
 
Number: IPG93

Summary

The Interventional Procedures Advisory Committee (IPAC) has considered this procedure and NICE has issued a consultation document about its safety and efficacy. Consultation has now ended. IPAC will consider the consultation comments and produce a Final Interventional Procedures Document, which will be considered by NICE before guidance is issued to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The consultation period for this procedure closed on the 23 November 2009.

If you wish to be updated to any developments with this procedure, you can express an interest here.

 

Description

Colorectal cancer arises in the colon or rectum. It is the second most common cancer in women and the third most common cancer in men in the UK. Around 50% of colorectal cancer patients will develop recurrence within 5 years of initial diagnosis, with the liver being the most common site for metastatic disease. Selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) is used to treat non-resectable hepatic metastases secondary to colorectal cancer, usually in combination with hepatic arterial chemotherapy.

The standard method of treatment for patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer is surgical resection, but fewer than 10% of patients are suitable for operation. For patients with non-resectable hepatic metastases, treatment options include systematic chemotherapy, radiotherapy, cryotherapy, alcohol injection and laser photocoagulation.

Radioactive spheres are injected using a syringe into the hepatic artery via a trans-femoral catheter or a permanently implanted port with a catheter to the hepatic artery. For the placement of this access port patients may need to undergo a laparotomy.

OPCS code:

Details

Arrangement:
Special
Topic area:
Cancer
Digestive system
Therapeutic procedures
Specialty:
Gastroenterology
Oncology
Specialist advice has been sought from:
  • Royal College of Radiology
  • British Society of Interventional Radiologists
  • Association of Cancer Surgeons
  • British Society of Gastroenterology
  • Association of Coloprotocology
  • British Association of Surgical Oncology
  • British Nuclear Medicine Society.
Date notified to NICE:
11 July 2003
Provisional consultation date:
Autumn 2009
Guidance issue date:
22 September 2004

Contact details:

Project manager (for general enquiries or comments)
(for general enquiries or comments)
Technical lead
(for procedure specific enquiries or comments)
Steven Barnes
ip@nice.org.uk
Contact Address:

Interventional Procedures Programme
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
MidCity Place
71 High Holborn
London
WC1V 6NA

Links: