New Therapies Increasingly Being Used to Treat Liver Cancer

Over the next five years, radioembolization sphere therapies expected to
increase 20%, according to Millennium Research Group

WALTHAM, Mass., Aug. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Millennium Research
Group's (MRG) US Markets for Transcatheter Embolization and Occlusion Devices
2008 report, embolization particle therapies such as radioembolization spheres
are increasingly being used to treat liver cancer. Over the next five years,
these radioembolization procedures are expected to increase at a compound
annual growth rate of almost 20%, as a result of increased reimbursement
coverage and adoption of these techniques at the institution level.
Introduction of radioembolization spheres to a facility, however, is not a
simple process, requiring a coordinated effort by the physicians and the
administration of a given institution.
Traditionally, liver cancer is treated by surgical resection of tumors or
liver transplantation. Many tumors, however, are not suitable for resection;
and liver transplants are infrequent. Chemotherapy with cytotoxic drugs can
be used in cases where surgery is contraindicated; however, it is an extremely
grueling process for the patient to endure. Alternatively, liver-directed
particle embolization is a minimally invasive procedure that employs
catheter-based techniques to deliver particle therapies that inhibit blood
flow to the inoperable tumor. In addition, these embolization particles can be
combined with chemotherapeutic drugs or radioactive components to better
target the liver, allowing patients safer, less invasive cancer treatment.
"Unlike systemic chemotherapy, which affects the whole body,
liver-directed therapies allow for a stronger, more targeted treatment of the
cancer, resulting in shorter hospital stays and fewer complications," says
Darren Navarro, Senior Analyst at MRG. "As more clinical evidence is released
supporting device efficacy, radioembolization spheres will increasingly be
accepted by physicians, institutions, and private insurance providers as a
viable treatment option for inoperable tumors of the liver."
The US Markets for Transcatheter Embolization and Occlusion Devices 2008
report includes coverage of industry competitors such as Biocompatibles,
BioSphere Medical, Boston Scientific, Cook Medical, Cordis, ev3, MDS Nordion,
MicroVention, Micrus Endovascular, Sirtex Medical, and Terumo Medical.
About Radioembolization Spheres
Radioembolization spheres are currently used to treat hepatic cellular
carcinoma (HCC) and metastatic colorectal liver cancer in the US. HCC is a
primary liver cancer that originates in the liver, and is often linked to
hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and liver cirrhosis, whereas metastatic colorectal
liver cancer is a secondary cancer that forms in the bowel and moves to the
liver.
About Millennium Research Group
Millennium Research Group (http://www.MRG.net), a Decision Resources, Inc.
company (http://www.DecisionResources.com), is the global authority on medical
technology market intelligence and the leading provider of strategic
information to the health care sector. The company provides specialized
industry expertise through published reports, ongoing Marketrack(TM) projects,
and customized solutions.
All company, brand, or product names contained in this document may be
trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
For more information, contact:

Amy Krohn
Millennium Research Group
416-364-7776 x101
akrohn@mrg.net

SOURCE Millennium Research Group

Amy Krohn of Millennium Research Group, +1-416-364-7776 ext. 101,
akrohn@mrg.net