Evolution of Personalized Dosimetry for Radioembolization of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2023 Jul;34(7):1214-1225. doi: 10.1016/j.jvir.2023.03.011. Epub 2023 Mar 26.

Abstract

Yttrium-90 transarterial radioembolization (TARE) has progressed from a salvage or palliative lobar or sequential bilobar regional liver therapy for patients with advanced disease to a versatile, potentially curative, and often highly selective local treatment for patients across Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stages. With this shift, radiation dosimetry has evolved to become more tailored to patients and target lesion(s), with treatment dose and distributions adapted for specific clinical goals (ie, palliation, bridging or downstaging to liver transplantation, converting to surgical resection candidacy, or ablative/curative intent). Data have confirmed that "personalizing" dosimetry yields real-world improvements in tumor response and overall survival while maintaining a favorable adverse event profile. In this review, imaging techniques used before, during, and after TARE have been reviewed. Historical algorithms and contemporary image-based dosimetry methods have been reviewed and compared. Finally, recent and upcoming developments in TARE methodologies and tools have been discussed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / diagnostic imaging
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / radiotherapy
  • Embolization, Therapeutic* / adverse effects
  • Embolization, Therapeutic* / methods
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging
  • Liver Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Liver Neoplasms* / radiotherapy
  • Radiometry
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Yttrium Radioisotopes / adverse effects

Substances

  • Yttrium Radioisotopes