Clinical Research Directory

Selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT), also called radioembolisation (RE), with SIR-Spheres microspheres is an endovascular procedure, included within the interventional oncologic technologies to treat primary and secondary liver tumours. Using a microcatheter, a precise dose of resin microspheres is released in the hepatic artery, where they are carried into the arterioles and selectively lodge in the tumour microvasculature. The microspheres are loaded with the radioactive yttrium-90, a high-energy beta-emitting isotope with a half-life of 64.1 hours. SIR-Spheres microspheres are manufactured by Sirtex Medical.

In order to measure the palliative aspect of RE with SIR-Spheres microspheres, CIRT-FR will incorporate a quality-of-life questionnaire. CIRT-FR will be using EORTC's QLQ-C30 with HCC Module to measure changes in the quality of life of the patient. The quality-of-life questionnaire will be offered to the patient before the treatment, shortly after the treatment (as soon as possible) and at every follow-up. Filling out the quality-of-life questionnaire is entirely voluntary for the patient