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Digestive Disease Interventions 2021; 05(02): 113-117
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1727185
Review Article

Radioembolization in Metastatic Breast Cancer

Amy Deipolyi
1   Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
,
Yolanda Bryce 
1   Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
,
Ripal Gandhi
2   Miami Cardiac and Vascular Institute, Miami Cancer Institute, Miami, Florida
› Author Affiliations Funding A.D. was funded by BTG, Dova Pharmaceuticals, and Sirtex Medical.
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Abstract

Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) remains the second cause of cancer death in women, despite improvements in early breast cancer detection and treatments, with a 5-year survival of only 27%. Patients with MBC involving the liver have a 5-year survival of only 3.8 to 12%. Systemic therapy is the cornerstone for the treatment of MBC according to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines. Radioembolization is not specifically prescribed by the NCCN guidelines in the treatment of MBC liver metastasis, but is an emerging therapy with some promising results. The two primary reasons to offer radioembolization would be to prolong life and to palliate and improve quality of life. We review here the indications, contraindications, technique, case examples, and unanswered questions.

Keywords

metastatic breast cancer - radioembolization - metastatic disease


Publication History

Received: 19 November 2020

Accepted: 16 February 2021

Article published online:
17 May 2021

© 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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