PGI starts new procedure for Liver Cancer

PGI starts new procedure for Liver Cancer

Chandigarh, 29 November : The interventional radiology section of the Department of Radiodiagnosis, PGIMER, Chandigarh has started a new procedure, transarterial radio-embolization (TARE) with Ytrrium 90 (Y 90), for treating inoperable liver cancer. This procedure has been started in collaboration with the departments of Hepatology and Nuclear Medicine. Patients with liver cancer who are not fit for surgery, liver transplantation or minimally invasive locoregional procedures, can be taken up for transarterial radio-embolization (TARE) with Ytrrium 90 (Y 90). In this technique, a catheter is placed selectively into the blood vessel supplying the tumor through the groin and Ytrrium 90 is injected. This emits local radiation and reduces the systemic side effects of radiation. “Earlier the department was using rhenium only which was provided by the local generator from Department of Nuclear Medicine” said Prof. Naveen Kalra, Department of Radiodiagnosis, PGIMER, Chandigarh.

This new technique will be a major boon for patients of liver cancer in North India. Uptill now the technique of TARE with Y 90 was only available in Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai and Medanta, Gurgaon in North India and was not available in the government hospitals. “By doing TARE at PGI we will be able to provide affordable therapy for inoperable liver cancer patients in their vicinity” said Prof. N.Khandelwal, Head, Department of Radiodiagnosis, PGIMER, Chandigarh.