Regional Chemotherapy for Liver Tumors
Regional therapy with transarterial chemoembolization and internal radiation with yttrium-90 spheres
At the UPMC Liver Cancer Center, the preferred approach for inoperable liver tumors that are confined to the liver, is either regional therapy with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) or internal radiation with yttrium-90 spheres.
Bile duct cancer
For people with metastatic cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer), we may recommend systemic chemotherapy.
Metastatic colon/rectal cancer
For people with metastatic colon/rectal cancer to the liver, it's very common that you may have received some form of prior systemic chemotherapy.
After a surgical resection for a hepatic metastases from colon cancer, the liver surgeons at the UPMC Liver Cancer Center, together with your local oncologist, will discuss options with you and help you decide if postoperative (adjuvant) systemic chemotherapy is the best approach.
Hepatocellular carcinoma
For people with widespread hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), systemic chemotherapy is generally not recommended due to poor response rates.
If a person with HCC develops localized extra-hepatic spread to a lymph node, bone, or adrenal gland, then focused radiation therapy occasionally may be recommended.