Interventional procedure overview of selective internal radiation therapy for neuroendocrine tumours that have metastasised to the liver

Unmet need

Around 4,000 people are diagnosed with NETs in the UK every year. People with NETs metastatic to the liver have worse outcomes than NETs that have not spread to the liver. This is because tumours are more difficult to treat and carcinoid syndrome is more common in this group. Treatment options depend on the clinical presentation of disease and multiple therapies are often used in sequence; for example, emerging evidence is exploring using SIRT after PRRT. Innovation to improve outcomes for people with mNETs with novel non-surgical approaches is needed because a small proportion of mNETs can be surgically resected.

SIRT is less invasive than alternative techniques and can be done when surgery is contraindicated. It does not need hospital admission. SIRT delivers localised radiation to the tumour with the aim of limiting damage to nearby healthy tissues. These characteristics of SIRT may mean it has fewer side effects, needs fewer hospital resources and has better quality of life outcomes than alternative therapies.