The Bach Mai and Military 108 hospitals in Ha Noi have successfully used a new method called selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) Spheres Y-90, to treat liver tumour.

SIR-Spheres Y-90 resin microspheres are used in an interventional radiology procedure known as selective internal radiation (SIRT), or radioembolisation, which targets high doses of radiation at the liver tumour directly.

The microspheres are injected by the millions into the liver tumour via its main vein, where they become stuck in the small blood vessels in and around the tumour. The microspheres emit high doses of radiation at the tumour cells to destroy them.

Bach Mai Hospital Deputy Director Mai Trong Khoa said the technique was safer and more effective than other radioactive therapies for liver cancer treatment that are currently being used in Viet Nam.

"More than 50 patients with liver tumours have been treated successfully with the technique, which has helped to prolong their lives by eight to 20.5 months," Khoa said.

Introduced in Viet Nam in 2013, the therapy will help save time and treatment costs and will improve the quality of life of liver cancer patients in Viet Nam.

According to GLOBOCAN 2012, liver cancer is the number one cause of deaths among different types of cancer for both men and women, with 21,997 new cases and 20,920 deaths in Viet Nam in 2012. Every year, about 150,000 new cancer cases are registered in Viet Nam, and more than 75,000 die from the disease.

Source: VNS