The liver is unique among other organs because of its dual blood supply. The liver is supplied by the hepatic artery as well as the portal vein. Liver tumors are supplied by the hepatic artery predominantly. Liver therapy can be delivered thru the artery (transarterial) directing treatment to the tumor while sparing the normal liver. The most common treatment involves injecting microspheres into the artery to deliver either radiation (yttrium-90) or chemotherapy to the tumor.
Beta particles are high-energy, high-speed electrons or positrons emitted by certain types of radioactive nuclei, such as Yttrium-90 (Y90). This type of radiation travels only a few millimeters away from the source before hitting its target. Y90 microspheres injected into the hepatic artery accumulate within the tumor and concentrate radiation inside it.
Microspheres can be loaded with doxorubicin or irinotecan depending on the type of tumor being treated. Injected inside the tumor they release the drug slowly over 24 hours. This treatment is known as Transarterial Chemoembolization or TACE.
Curing cancer requires removing or destroying all of the tumor and is why surgical resection is generally the most effective treatment. Liver cancers in particular fall in this category. It is also true that the liver presents unique challenges to the surgeon because of its crucial role in body function and its complex anatomy which can make surgery difficult to accomplish safely. If a patient is not a candidate for surgical removal of his/her cancer then other therapeutic options are available.