Other Treatment Modalities
(Liver Metastases from GIST)

Hepatic Artery Embolization (HAE)

Hepatic artery embolization is an effective therapeutic option for patients with liver metastases from GIST. HAE is performed by instilling microscopic particles into a lobar hepatic artery or selectively into one of its branches in order to occlude the major arterial blood supply to the tumors. (A related technique, hepatic artery chemoembolization [HACE], combines embolization with the intra-arterial administration of chemotherapy).¹ Although HAE and HACE have been widely used for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma and liver metastases from neuroendocrine tumors, these treatment modalities have been underutilized for GIST.¹ HAE/HACE are effective in all of these diseases because the tumors tend to be hypervascular and derive most of their blood supply from the hepatic artery. ³

Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)

Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive method for destroying tumors, including liver metastases of GIST. It involves insertion of a needle electrode into the tumor to heat and kill the tumor cells with radiofrequency energy. Imaging such as CT or ultrasound is used to guide the needle placement. Once the needle is in place, metal tines are deployed from the hollow core of the needle that penetrate and envelope the tumor. Radio waves are then transmitted to the needle tip and though the tines. These radio waves generate heat that target the tumor.^2,3