Role of Transhepatic Arterial Radioembolization in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol. 2022 Nov;45(11):1579-1589. doi: 10.1007/s00270-022-03268-y. Epub 2022 Sep 14.

Abstract

The liver represents the most frequent location of metastatic disease in colorectal cancer (CRC). In oligometastatic disease, while surgery remains the mainstay of treatment, loco-regional therapies allow to locally control tumor progression and prolong survival. There is consensus in the use of transhepatic arterial radioembolization (TARE) in metastatic CRC chemorefractory patients, with liver-only or liver-dominant disease. Beyond this indication, TARE may be considered in other clinical scenarios, such as in the second-line combined with chemotherapy, as a bridge in between different lines of systemic therapies, and as ablative technique under specific circumstances. This paper outlines the current evidence for TARE in mCRC and presents possible future indications and directions.

Keywords: Colorectal cancer; Hepatectomy; Hepatic arterially directed therapies; Holmium-166; Liver; Liver tumor ablation; Metastasis; Radioembolization; Yttrium-90.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Brachytherapy* / methods
  • Colonic Neoplasms*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Embolization, Therapeutic* / methods
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Rectal Neoplasms*
  • Yttrium Radioisotopes / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Yttrium Radioisotopes