Overview
Evidence-based recommendations on selective internal radiation therapies SIR-Spheres (Sirtex), TheraSphere (BTG) and QuiremSphere (Quirem Medical) for treating hepatocellular carcinoma in adults.
In June 2024, this guidance was partially updated by NICE technology appraisal technology guidance on selective internal radiation therapy with QuiremSpheres for treating unresectable advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (TA985).
NICE has also produced interventional procedures guidance on selective internal radiation therapy for primary hepatocellular carcinoma.
Is this guidance up to date?
Next review: 2024
Commercial arrangement
There are simple discount patient access schemes for SIR‑Spheres and for TheraSphere. Contact UK_access@sirtex.com for SIR-Spheres and CustomerServiceEMEA@btgplc.com for TheraSphere.
Guidance development process
How we develop NICE technology appraisal guidance
This technology appraisal guidance replaces medtech innovation briefings on TheraSphere for treating operable and inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma (MIB62) and SIR-Spheres for treating inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma (MIB63).
Your responsibility
The recommendations in this guidance represent the view of NICE, arrived at after careful consideration of the evidence available. When exercising their judgement, health professionals are expected to take this guidance fully into account, alongside the individual needs, preferences and values of their patients. The application of the recommendations in this guidance is at the discretion of health professionals and their individual patients and do not override the responsibility of healthcare professionals to make decisions appropriate to the circumstances of the individual patient, in consultation with the patient and/or their carer or guardian.
All problems (adverse events) related to a medicine or medical device used for treatment or in a procedure should be reported to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency using the Yellow Card Scheme.
Commissioners and/or providers have a responsibility to provide the funding required to enable the guidance to be applied when individual health professionals and their patients wish to use it, in accordance with the NHS Constitution. They should do so in light of their duties to have due regard to the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination, to advance equality of opportunity and to reduce health inequalities.
Commissioners and providers have a responsibility to promote an environmentally sustainable health and care system and should assess and reduce the environmental impact of implementing NICE recommendations wherever possible.