Treatment

Yttrium-90 Microspheres Therapy

Overview

Yttrium-90 Microspheres Therapy is a targeted treatment used primarily for liver cancer. It uses tiny radioactive beads, called microspheres, that carry Yttrium-90, a radioactive element, directly into the blood vessels feeding a liver tumor. These microspheres emit radiation to destroy cancer cells while sparing most of the healthy liver tissue. This form of therapy is also known as Yttrium-90 radioembolization or Y90 treatment.

It’s a minimally invasive procedure and offers hope to patients who cannot undergo surgery or who have tumors that haven’t responded well to chemotherapy.

Why Yttrium-90 Microspheres Therapy Treatment is Required?

• Helps treat inoperable liver tumors, especially hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver metastases from colorectal cancer.
• Used when other treatments like chemotherapy or surgery are not suitable or have failed.
• Offers a focused approach to minimize damage to healthy liver tissue.
• Can be used before liver transplantation or surgery to reduce tumor size.
• Provides relief in cases where tumors cause pain or other symptoms.

Key Advantages of Yttrium-90 Microspheres Therapy Treatment

• Targeted treatment with minimal impact on healthy tissues.
• Minimally invasive – done through a small catheter inserted into an artery.
• Often requires no hospital stay or just 1 day of observation.
• Short half-life of Yttrium-90 (~64 hours), meaning radiation leaves the body quickly.
• Can improve quality of life and reduce symptoms.
• Shown to increase survival rates after Y90 treatment in selected patients.
• Allows repeated treatments depending on tumor response and liver function.

How Should You Prepare Yourself Before Yttrium-90 Microspheres Therapy Treatment

• Your doctor may order blood tests, CT scans or an angiogram to map liver blood vessels.
• You may need to stop certain medications such as blood thinners.
• Fasting may be required for a few hours before the procedure.
• You will need to arrange transportation as you might be sedated.
• Inform your doctor about any allergies, implants or pregnancy.

How Yttrium-90 Microspheres Therapy Treatment is Performed?

• A small catheter is inserted into an artery in your groin or wrist.
• Using imaging guidance, the catheter is moved to the liver’s artery.
• Yttrium-90 microspheres are slowly injected, flowing into the tumor’s blood supply.
• The radiation from the microspheres damages cancer cells from within.
• The procedure takes around 1 to 2 hours and you may be monitored afterward.

What You Can Expect Before, During and After Procedure?

• Before the Procedure:
• Pre-procedure imaging and planning tests.
• Fasting for a few hours.
• Sedation or mild anesthesia may be given.
• During the Procedure:
• Procedure is done in an interventional radiology suite.
• You will be awake but relaxed.
• Little to no pain during the procedure.
• After the Procedure:
• Monitoring for a few hours.
• Possible mild fatigue, nausea, or low-grade fever.
• Most patients return home the same or next day.
• Follow-up scans done in a few weeks to check tumor response.

Risk and Potential Complications

• Mild fatigue or flu-like symptoms (common but temporary).
• Nausea or abdominal pain for a few days.
• Rarely, radiation-induced liver disease (RILD).
• Ulcers or damage if microspheres reach non-target organs.
• Low blood counts or slight liver function changes.
• Doctors monitor you closely to avoid or manage complications.

Results/Outcomes

• Many patients see tumor shrinkage or stabilization.
• May extend survival time, especially when other options are limited.
• Improves symptoms and may allow for additional treatments.
• Several Y90 treatment success stories show improved quality of life post-treatment.
• Results vary based on overall health, liver function and cancer type.