Nuclear Medicine - SIRT Treatment

Selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) is a radiotherapy treatment for cancer in the liver delivered by Radiology under x-ray guidance. The treatment is in two parts, the first work-up where a small amount of a radioactive tracer (Tc-99m) is delivered directly to the tumour in Radiology. Following this, a SPECT-CT scan is undertaken to check the location of the tracer is in the targetted area. This appointment is usually an out-patient appointment but will take most of the day. 

If this first work-up is successful, then a second appointment for the treatment is delivered typically one week later. During this second appointment, tiny radioactive beads called microspheres are delivered directly into the blood vessel under x-ray guidance in Radiology as before. These beads have the radioisotope Yttrium-90 (Y-90) attached to them and become permanently lodged in the small blood vessels around the tumour. This appointment requires the patient to stay in hospital the night before and after treatment. Following discharge from the ward the day after treatment, a final SPECT-CT scan is undertaken in Radiology taking approximately 1 hour. 

There will be radiation precautions to follow after you are discharged. Radiographers will give you further information about this.

For more information please download our patient information leaflet here

 Read our patient radiation protection precuations for SIRT (Y-90) here