H.E.A.R.D. stands for Hemangioedothelioma, Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma (EHE), And Related vascular Disorders.

It is a support group established in 2004 to help these rare diseases. Hemangioendothelioma (HE) is the name for a composite group of vascular cancers, which can involve soft tissue, bone, skin, liver, lymph nodes and/or the lungs.

Due to the rarity of Hemangioendothelioma, it is preferable for patients to seek a sarcoma specialist for treatment.

There are only about twenty cases diagnosed each year of HE. The H.E.A.R.D support group has been able to locate about 120 people around the world who have this disease.

The members of this unique group tell us on the website:

Together, our voices will be HEARD!

The technique, known as radioembolization or intra-arterial brachytherapy, uses the vascular system to deliver targeted treatment to the tumor. The tiny glass bubbles filled with radioactive material deliver high doses of tumor-killing radiation directly to the liver tumors.

Liver tumors use a supply of blood that is largely separate from the blood that nourishes normal liver tissue, so very few of the bubbles end up in the healthy liver.

The bubbles are smaller than the diameter of a human hair. The outpatient procedure takes about an hour to complete. The bubbles release over 10-14 days.

Patients may be candidates for this procedure if they are not able to get a liver transplant. Mayo Clinic radiation oncologists are now using this procedure.