A high-tech alternative to chemotherapy for some patients with liver cancer has been life-changing for one young patient who was treated in Philadelphia. The minimally invasive treatment uses tiny radioactive beads.<\/p>\n
Craig Heffentrager was treated at the interventional radiology suite at Jefferson Torresdale Hospital for metastatic colon cancer that spread to his liver.<\/p>\n
“To me, it’s nicer than doing the chemo,” Heffentrager said.<\/p>\n
Heffentrager was just 34 when he was first diagnosed with colorectal cancer. He said the chemo that caused his hair to fall out in clumps was especially difficult.<\/p>\n
“It really made me feel sick,” Heffentrager said.<\/p>\n
When the cancer came back in his liver, doctors gave him six months to live.<\/p>\n
Heffentrager decided to try a chemo alternative with Dr. Steven Wagner at Jefferson Torresdale Hospital.<\/p>\n
“The technology is amazing, what we can do these days,” Wagner said.<\/p>\n
The technology he used is radioembolization, which is a minimally invasive way to stop blood flow to tumors in the liver and target the radiation.<\/p>\n
“All of this is done with a small nick in the artery and you’re out of the hospital that day,” Wagner said.<\/p>\n
Wagner said it’s a very effective, minimally invasive way to treat liver cancer.<\/p>\n
“I think this treatment has revolutionized cancer care,” Wagner said. “We want to find new and innovative way to treat tumors and keep patients going.”<\/p>\n
Heffentrager, who’s 38 now, has had three treatments. He’s now back to his active life, enjoying adventures with his dog.<\/p>\n
“I was excited, I was very happy,” Heffentrager said.<\/p>\n
Heffentrager is feeling good now, but he’s still carefully followed by doctors because there’s a chance the cancer could come back.<\/p>\n