SIRT FAQs

1. What are SIR-Spheres microspheres?
2. What happens to the SIR-Spheres microspheres once they are inside the liver?
3. How soon after the procedure can I go home?
4. Are there any special precautions that family members will need to take as a result of the internal radiation delivered by SIR-Spheres microspheres?
5. Will my insurance cover this procedure?
6. How can I find treatment centers in my area? 

1. What are SIR-Spheres microspheres?
SIR-Spheres microspheres are tiny polymer beads that are loaded with yttrium-90, a radioisotope that emits pure beta radiation. Yttrium-90 has a "half life" of about 2 ½ days, that is, every 2 ½ days the level of radiation falls by one half. The radiation from yttrium-90 is largely confined to a tissue depth of 2 - 3 mm. After injection into the artery supplying blood to the tumors, the spheres are trapped in the tumor's vascular bed, where they destroy the tumor cells by delivering the beta radiation. The radiation is targeted and contained within the patient's body and after 14 days the majority of the radiation effect has occurred. SIR-Spheres microspheres are considered a regional treatment as the radiation is directed to the liver and does not affect other organs in the body.

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2. What happens to the SIR-Spheres microspheres once they are inside the liver?
Upon injection into the tumors, SIR-Spheres microspheres continuously deliver radiation for approximately 14 days. The SIR-Spheres microspheres will remain trapped in the liver and as the spheres are very tiny (about one third the diameter of a strand of hair) and are biocompatible they can remain in the liver without any danger to the patient.
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3. How soon after the procedure can I go home?
Usually, patients treated with SIR-Spheres microspheres can go home the same day of treatment and resume normal activity. However, your doctor might keep you in hospital for observations to ensure that you do not develop any complications resulting from the treatment with SIR-Spheres microspheres. Your doctor will decide what is best for you.
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4. Are there any special precautions that family members will need to take as a result of the internal radiation delivered by SIR-Spheres microspheres?
The patient should observe the following recommended precautions after receiving treatment with SIR-Spheres microspheres:

• no travel on public transport, including air travel, lasting more than 2 hours for 1 week
• avoid crowded public places for 1 week
• do not sleep in the same bed as your partner for 1 week
• no contact with children or pregnant women for 1 week
• adult visitors may approach the patient for periods of a few minutes at a time, but for prolonged periods they should stay more than 2 meters (6 feet) away for 1 week

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5. Will my insurance cover this procedure?
Most insurance companies generally cover the cost of SIR-Spheres microspheres. Under the terms of the 2003 Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act, Medicare reimburses hospitals for the full cost of outpatient treatment with SIR-Spheres microspheres. Sirtex reimbursement specialists are available to assist you and your hospital with any reimbursement coverage issues.
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6. How can I find treatment centers in my area? 
The University of Tennessee Medical Center offers this service to the East Tennessee area. You also may find other centers by visiting here.   
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