Yttrium-90 radioembolization for the treatment of chemorefractory colorectal liver metastases: Technical results, clinical outcome and factors potentially influencing survival

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to retrospectively assess the technical and clinical outcomes, overall survival and prognostic factors for prolonged survival after yttrium-90 (⁹⁰Y) radioembolization as a salvage therapy for patients with chemorefractory liver-only or liver-dominant colorectal metastases.

Material and methods: From January 2005 to January 2014, all the patients selected for ⁹⁰Y radioembolization to treat chemorefractory colorectal liver metastases were identified. Demographic, laboratory, imaging and dosimetry data were collected. Post-treatment technical and clinical outcomes were analyzed as well as overall survival; finally several factors potentially influencing survival were analyzed.

Results: In total 88 patients were selected for angiographic workup; 71 patients (81%) finally underwent catheter-directed ⁹⁰Y microsphere infusion into the hepatic artery 25 days (standard deviation 13 days) after angiographic workup. Median infused activity was 1809 MBq; 30-day toxicity included: fatigue (n = 39; 55%), abdominal discomfort (n = 33; 47%), nausea (n = 5; 7%), fever (n = 14; 20%), diarrhea (n = 6; 9%), liver function abnormalities and elevated bilirubin (transient) (n = 3; 4%). Gastric ulcer was found in five patients (7%). A late complication was radioembolization-induced portal hypertension (REIPH) in three patients (4%). Median time to progression in the liver was 4.4 months. Estimated survival at six and 12 months was 65% and 30%, respectively, with a 50% estimated survival after 8.0 months in this group of chemorefractory patients. Prognostic factors for worse survival were high preprocedural bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase and tumor volume levels.

Conclusion: ⁹⁰Y microsphere radioembolization for chemorefractory colorectal liver metastases has an acceptable safety profile with a 50% estimated survival after 8.0 months. Pretreatment high bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase and tumor volume levels were associated with early death.