Provena St. Joseph Hospital offers new cancer treatment

Submitted by Provena St. Joseph Hospital

Provena St. Joseph Hospital is the first in the Fox River Valley area to offer patients with primary liver cancer or metastatic liver cancer a new FDA-approved procedure using targeted radiation therapy delivered through microspheres directly into the tumor sites. Clinical studies are showing that patients receiving this therapy can benefit by having their lives extended and experiencing fewer side effects of the disease.

“In this unique treatment, an interventional radiologist delivers microscopic beads containing radioactive Yttrium-90 through a catheter directly into the tumor sites, attacking tumor cells while sparing normal liver tissue,” said Laurie Schachtner, Director of Medical Imaging at Provena St. Joseph Hospital’s Bob & Edna Meadows Regional Cancer Care Center.

It is performed on an outpatient basis, often allowing patients to return home within four to six hours post-treatment. While the procedure does not provide a cure, it slows disease progression and often results in tumor shrinkage.

“This is an emerging treatment option for patients who are not current candidates for other treatments such as surgery or liver transplantation, and for patients who are progressing with chemotherapy,” said Dr. Tami Carrillo, interventional radiologist who delivers the therapy after receiving specialized training at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

According to Carrillo, in some cases, radioembolization can shrink tumor size to the degree that the patient becomes a candidate for curative surgical resection or transplantation.

In late 2011, based on community need, the hospital received the required approval from the state of Illinois to offer the new radiation therapy procedure. To date, Provena Saint Joseph Hospital interventional radiologists Carrillo and Dr. Brian Schwartz are early Fox River Valley leaders providing this cancer care treatment.

“The hospital continues to live its ministry for patients, their families and the community by offering the highest quality and the most clinically appropriate versatile care options to improve health and provide hope and comfort,” Schachtner said.