Radiolabeled Glass Beads in Treating Patients With Metastatic Liver Cancer That Cannot Be Removed by Surgery

Patients with metastatic cancer of the liver who are not surgical resection candidates.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Confirmed diagnosis of metastatic intrahepatic carcinoma

  • Histopathology confirmation may be waived in patients with a radiographically identifiable liver mass AND known laboratory or clinical risk factors for cancer or elevated tumor markers such as AFP
• Unresectable disease
• No portal hypertension with portal venous shunt away from the liver
• FDA approval to receive compassionate use of yttrium Y 90 glass microspheres
• No significant extrahepatic disease representing an imminent life-threatening outcome

• No evidence of potential delivery of > 16.5 mCi (30 Gy absorbed dose) of radiation to the lungs on either of the following:

  • First administration of yttrium Y 90 glass microspheres (TheraSphere ®)
  • Cumulative delivery of radiotherapy to the lungs over multiple treatments

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• ECOG performance status 0-2
• Life expectancy ≥ 3 months
• Absolute granulocyte count ≥ 1,500/µL
• Platelet count ≥ 25,000/μL
• Creatinine ≤ 2.0 mg/dL (unless using non-iodinated contrast or on dialysis)
• Serum bilirubin ≤ 3.0 mg/dL (in some cases where there is an elevated bilirubin, and the tumor may be isolated from a vascular standpoint, treatment may proceed)

• No contraindication to angiography or selective visceral catheterization, including any of the following:

  • History of severe allergy or intolerance to any contrast media, narcotics, sedatives, or atropine, that cannot be controlled using basic angiographic techniques
  • Bleeding diathesis, not correctable by usual forms of therapy
  • Severe peripheral vascular disease that would preclude catheterization
• No severe liver dysfunction or pulmonary insufficiency
• No active uncontrolled infection
• No significant underlying medical or psychiatric illness
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• No evidence of any detectable technetium-99 macroaggregated albumin (Tc-99 MAA) flow to the stomach or duodenum after application of established angiographic techniques to stop such flow
• No comorbid disease or condition that would preclude safe delivery of yttrium Y 90 glass microspheres and place patient at undue risk

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• See Disease Characteristics
• More than 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy
• More than 2 weeks since prior surgery
• At least 2 weeks since prior radiosensitizing chemotherapy
• More than 6 weeks since prior carmustine (BCNU) or mitomycin C
• No other concurrent cancer therapy