Regional Hepato-Pancreatico-Biliary Unit - Surrey and Sussex

Associated sites:   Liver.co.uk,    Liver.org.uk,   Bowel-cancer.com

Interstitial techniques for the destruction of liver tumours

There are other methods for treating secondary liver cancer that may not be surgically removable.

The Radio frequency Ablator (RITA)

Destruction of small liver tumours by radio frequency ablation (RFA) may be carried out using a small probe placed percutaneously (through the skin) under ultrasound guidance or placed under direct vision using the laparoscopic (keyhole surgery) approach. This technique uses radiofrequency waves to generate heat within the tumour nodule thus denaturing the protein elements of the tumour. Over a period of weeks the lesion created in the liver slowly becomes absorbed into the body. At present this technique is offered  to patients who are surgically inoperable or those who are medically unfit for major liver surgery. This is an exciting new technique still being evaluated, but potentially this may increase the number of patients who may be offered surgery plus RFA.

Radioactive Microspheres

By labelling tiny microspheres with radio-active isotopes and then injecting these microspheres selectively into branches of the hepatic artery to the parts of the liver containing tumour nodules, diseased portions of the liver may be effectively treated. Occasionally a complete response may occur, but more often the tumour may be reduced in size (down-staged) and an inoperable patient may then be rendered operable.

Cryosurgery