Successful treatment with yttrium-90 microspheres in a metastatic breast cancer patient and sclerosing cholangitis

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy occurring in women worldwide. More than 90% of patients present with localized disease are treated with curative intent; however, recurrence can occur with development of metastatic lesions. Frequently associated with extra-hepatic lesions, localized treatments (surgery or stereotaxic body radiotherapy) are rarely proposed in liver lesions. 90Y radioembolization has extensively been evaluated in colorectal cancer, but its role in breast cancer with isolated liver metastases remains largely unknown. Pre-existing liver diseases are known risk factors for 90Y induced liver toxicity. Not considered as an excluding factor for this treatment, data are limited regarding its safe use with cholangitis. We report a successful control of liver metastases by 90Y radioembolization in a breast cancer patient. Lay abstract Breast cancer is the most common malignancy occurring in women worldwide. Metastasis-directed therapies are more and more often offered to patients in order to delay systemic treatments; however, their role in improving survival remains unknown. Trans-arterial radioembolization with 90Y appears to be an interesting strategy in breast cancer with isolated liver metastases, even if its survival benefit remains largely unknown. Safety of trans-arterial radioembolization also remains under investigated in patients with previous liver disease. We report a successful control of liver metastases by 90Y radioembolization in a breast cancer patient.