Open AccessA Serious Complication of Selected Internal Radiation Therapy: Case Report and Literature Review
Author(s) -
Sjoquist Katrin M.,
Goldstein David,
Bester Lourens
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the oncologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.176
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1549-490X
pISSN - 1083-7159
DOI - 10.1634/theoncologist.2010-0074
Subject(s) - medicine , complication , radiation therapy , selective internal radiation therapy , intensive care medicine , radiology , surgery , general surgery , hepatocellular carcinoma
The use of selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) with SIR‐Spheres® (Sirtex, Sydney, Australia) is increasingly recognized as a potential therapeutic modality of primary and secondary malignant liver tumors. A number of treatment‐related complications have been described despite technical expertise and detailed pretreatment investigations to assess suitability. We describe a case of gastric ulceration from nontargeted deposition of SIR‐spheres® in the gastric mucosa with life‐threatening consequences. This case highlights the need for careful screening and appropriate patient selection, and the need to recognize ulceration from SIRT as a potential complication of treatment. The characteristic endoscopic, radiologic, and histopathologic findings are illustrated and recommendations are reviewed with regard to the current literature.