Small Beads,Big Hope

Everything is in place to have Dennis's Selective Internal Radiation Therapy(SIRT) next Thursday.

During this minimally invasive procedure, millions of radioactive microspheres are placed in the liver via a catheter infusion. Once inside, they selectively target tumors with internal radiation doses, and SIRT can target and
destroy liver tumors inaccessible by other techniques.

The procedure is comprised of two major components: embolization and brachytherapy. It begins with a small incision in Dennis's upper thigh, which allows the interventional radiologist to place a catheter into the femoral artery. Then, utilizing fluoroscopic guidance, the radiologist maneuvers the catheter toward the hepatic artery, one of two blood vessels that supply blood to the liver.
The catheter is then guided into the hepatic artery branch feeding the liver tumor. The microspheres are injected through the catheter and into the tumor blood supply.The blood carries the microspheres to the tumor area of greatest vascularity where they become trapped.
Once trapped, the microspheres emit their beta radiation. This destroys the tumor by reducing its blood supply, which is the embolic effect, as well as by damaging the cancer cells’ DNA.
The targeted radiation is contained within the patient’s body and delivered over a two-week period.
Careful preparation is needed before microsphere treatment because the technique is driven by the vasculature.The microspheres can potentially travel anywhere throughout the body. To prevent this from happening Dr. Gulec will on Tuesday perform a couple of procedures. These include an angiogram to determine if any vessels leading to other body areas need to be coiled.
Also, to prevent any damage to the lung, the Dr. Gulec will perform a nuclear technetium-99m macroaggregated albumin (MAA) study. Physicians use it to assess the proper placement of venous and arterial access systems. This avoids a risk of leakage and ensures that therapeutic agents are delivered as intended.

Angiograms examine the arterial anatomy to make sure the microspheres only go to the liver and not the intestine, lung, or other places.

Beyond the preparation, the actual treatment doesn’t take long. Preparation is what takes up time. The actual microsphere delivery on Thursday takes about only 20 minutes to a half hour.Treatment will be performed on an outpatient basis at the Jackson North Hospital with Dennis remaining conscious during the procedure.
Chemotherapy will be used in conjuction and Dennis will start chemotherapy on Wednesday for 2 weeks.

While it is not considered a cure, this treatment can shrink cancer when combined with chemotherapy.

Dennis will have scans taken 4 weeks after the procedure and then Dr. Gulec will treat the left lobe of the liver.

We will update next Thursday from Miami.

-Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed no hope at all.-Dale Carnegie