SIR-Spheres to Treat Liver Metastases From Prostate Cancer

Metastases are what makes cancer dangerous. Uncontrolled cell growth disrupts normal organ function. Some organs, like lymph nodes, for example, are not vital, and when cancer spreads to them, their impact on the overall function of the organism is minimal. Therefore, lymph node spread is the least dangerous form of prostate cancer metastases. At the other end of the spectrum is the liver, which is far less tolerant.

The seriousness of bone metastases, the most common site of prostate cancer spread, lies about halfway between that of node metastases and liver metastases. Fortunately, liver metastases are extremely rare when prostate cancer is first diagnosed. Liver metastases usually occur after many years of ongoing treatment.

Liver cancer illustration
SCIEPRO / Science Photo Library / Getty Images

Factors That Impact the Danger of Types of Prostate Cancer

When talking about prostate cancer, because the word “cancer” so often generates overwhelming fear, it should always be remembered that many types are low-grade and never spread. These low grade “cancers” are genetically distinct and represent a totally different category of disease that is incapable of metastasizing. However, when discussing the type of prostate cancer that has the capacity to spread, the following factors impact how dangerous it is, according to the Prostate Cancer Research Institute (PCRI):

  1. The site of spread, which organ has developed metastases
  2. The extent of spread, larger amounts of cancer are more worrisome.
  3. The tumor cell growth rate indicated by the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) doubling time
  4. The efficacy of available treatment, a factor which is related to the number of previous treatments that have already been attempted

As noted above, the liver is far less tolerant of metastatic invasion than bone or lymph nodes. In addition, because liver metastases tend to occur in men with advanced disease, tumor growth rates tend to be brisk. Also, the commonly used treatments such as hormone therapy and chemotherapy have often already been tried. The discovery of liver metastases, therefore, is a very serious development.

Detecting Liver Metastases

Liver metastases are often first suspected when a standard hepatic panel blood test becomes abnormal. The investigation into the cause of the abnormal blood tests often leads to the performance of a CT scan or MRI scan, which leads to the detection of metastases in the liver. Alternatively, a scan may pick up abnormal spots in the liver in the normal course of periodic scanning that is being performed as part of a regular surveillance program.

Treatment Options

According to the PCRI, hormone therapy or chemotherapy with Taxotere (docetaxel), Jevtana (cabazitaxel), and Carboplatin is the standard approach to treatment for liver metastasis. Examples of hormone therapy include Lupron (leuprolide), Zytiga (abiraterone), Xtandi (enzalutamide), and Orgovyx (relugolix). However, these treatments may have been tried and are losing effectiveness. Since liver failure is tantamount to death, prostate cancer growth in the liver must be stopped, regardless of how the disease is faring in the rest of the body, i.e., the bones and lymph nodes.

Lessons can be learned from colon cancer because liver metastases from metastatic colon cancer are very common. Treatments for colon cancer that are commonly employed include surgery, radiation and blockage of the blood supply to the liver by embolization of the arteries, all with variable success. More recently, radioactive microspheres have been approved for injection into the blood supply of the liver. The microspheres are called SIR-Spheres. They have shown notable efficacy with very tolerable side effects.

Prostate cancer and colon cancer have similar susceptibility to radiation. As such, it is logical to consider that SIR-Spheres would have a restraining effect on prostate cancer progression in the liver. In my practice, we have recommended SIR-Spheres to prostate cancer patients with liver metastases. Results have been encouraging with a notable improvement of survival compared to our previous experience in prostate cancer patients with liver metastases.

3 Sources
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  1. Ahmed HU, Arya M, Freeman A, Emberton M. Do low-grade and low-volume prostate cancers bear the hallmarks of malignancy? The Lancet Oncology. 2012;13(11):e509-e517. doi. 10.1016/S1470-2045(12)70388-1. Published November, 2012.

  2. Prostate Cancer Research Institute. SIR Spheres for liver metastases from prostate cancer.

  3. Golubnitschaja O, Sridhar KC. Liver metastatic disease: new concepts and biomarker panels to improve individual outcomes. Clin Exp Metastasis. 2016;33(8):743-755. doi. 10.1007/s10585-016-9816-8. Published December, 2016.

By Mark Scholz, MD
Mark Scholz, MD, is a board-certified oncologist and expert on prostate cancer.