
What is the best treatment center for liver cancer?
Radioembolization, also called Y-90 Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIRT), is a minimally invasive liver-directed therapy for liver cancer that either arises from the liver (primary liver cancer or hepatocellular carcinoma) or has metastasized to the liver from other organs most commonly the colon or rectum (secondary liver cancer) that cannot be removed with surgery.
What is the y90 procedure?
Jan 27, 2017 · Jeremy McBride, M.D., an interventional radiologist with Mayo Clinic Health System, suggested a minimally invasive radiation treatment known as Y-90 to strategically attack the tumors invading Turnbull’s liver. The treatment works by injecting tiny particles into the arteries feeding the tumors with blood. Only the tumors are targeted; normal liver tissue and …
How to cure liver cancer using 17 alternative remedies?
Y-90 Selective Internal Radiation Therapy is a minimally invasive procedure that combines embolization and radiation therapy to treat primary and secondary liver cancer. This form of treatment involves using tiny beads, called microspheres, that deliver radiation directly to tumors in the liver. The microspheres are embedded with radioactive element Y-90 and delivered …
How to cure liver cancer?
Mar 28, 2011 · Y-90 treatment adds to interventional radiology's nonsurgical advances for liver cancer, such as delivering chemotherapy directly to the affected organ (chemoembolization), killing the tumor with...

Can Y-90 cure liver cancer?
Y-90 radiotherapy sends radiation directly into the blood vessels that feed the tumors. This treatment does not cure liver tumors. But, it often controls or shrinks them. After this therapy, your doctors may advise other options such as chemotherapy or surgery.
How many Y-90 treatments can you have?
Patients are typically limited to two treatments, although doctors can take another approach — only with concentrated chemotherapy and larger particles — once radiation limits are reached.Jan 27, 2017
How long does a Y-90 procedure take?
If there are multiple tumors, the procedure may need to be repeated in another blood vessel. The procedure takes about one hour to complete.
What are the side effects of Y-90 treatment?
The most common side effect after Y-90 radiotherapy is fatigue (feeling very tired). This can be mild or severe. It can last up to a few weeks. Other side effects include: • Poor appetite • Mild abdominal pain • Slight fever • Nausea These symptoms should slowly go away over 1 to 2 weeks.
Are you radioactive after Y-90 treatment?
After treatment with Y-90 radioactive material, you will emit a small amount of radiation. These levels are quite low. After treatment, you have no special precautions to follow to limit exposing other people to radiation. It is safe for people to be around you.
How long are you radioactive after Y-90?
Because radioactive microspheres are delivered through the hepatic artery, they reach the tumor very directly while sparing most of the healthy liver tissue. The radiation from yttrium-90 continually decreases over a two-week period and disappears after 30 days.
How successful is Y-90 treatment?
In contrast to most nuclear medicine applications, Y90 is therapeutic and designed to treat rather than simply diagnose. It is estimated that 75% to 95% of patients see improvement from treatment, potentially extending their lives or improving survival rates.Oct 31, 2019
Can radiation shrink liver tumors?
Radiation therapy can shrink or kill tumor cells. At Memorial Sloan Kettering, we may recommend this approach if you have a primary liver tumor that can't be removed with surgery. It can be used alone or in combination with chemotherapy or other treatments.
How much does Y-90 treatment cost?
The primary outcome was the overall difference in cost between Y-90 vs TACE for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma at Einstein Medical Center. The price of a Y-90 ranges from $30,000 to $35,000 with an average of $32,500.
What is the liver in radiation therapy?
Radioembolization combines the localized delivery of radiation therapy in the form of tiny beads and embolization to treat patients with liver cancer. The liver is unique because it has two blood supplies—the hepatic artery and the portal vein. The normal liver receives about 75 percent of its blood supply through the portal vein ...
What is Y-90 SIRT?
What is Radioembolization (Y-90 SIRT)? Radioembolization, also called Y-90 Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIRT), is a minimally invasive liver-directed therapy for liver cancer that either arises from the liver (primary liver cancer or hepatocellular carcinoma) or has metastasized to the liver from other organs most commonly ...
What are the benefits of a liver transplant?
Other benefits include: Delays the time to tumor progression (the time it takes for a tumor to regrow) Extends overall survival rate. Potentially downsizes or downstages tumors for liver resection, ablation, or transplantation giving patients a genuine chance for rehabilitation. Provides palliation of symptoms.
How long does a radioactive microsphere stay in the artery?
After the catheter has been advanced into the artery that supplies the blood flow to the tumor (s), the radioactive microspheres are injected into the artery before reaching the tumor (s) where they will lodge and emit radiation for about two weeks.
How long does it take for a tumor to decay?
The whole procedure may take around 60–90 minutes.
Why is it important to treat liver cancer?
The liver is the most common site for the spread of this cancer which is why it is so important to treat the cancer there to prevent further spread beyond the liver. Patients with colorectal liver cancer whose liver metastases cannot be removed by surgery are ...
Where is the catheter inserted for liver surgery?
Using live imaging, a catheter is then inserted through the incision and guided to the hepatic artery that feeds the liver tumors.
What is Y-90?
Yttrium-90 (Y-90) is a radioactive substance. This means it gives off radiation. It is attached to tiny beads that are smaller than a human hair. These beads are injected (put) into the main artery that brings blood to the liver. The beads get trapped in the tumor and small blood vessels that bring blood to the liver tumor (s).
What cancers can be treated with Y-90 RE?
Y-90 RE beads are used to treat hepatocellular (liver) cancer or other cancers that have spread (metastasized) to the liver.
How is the radioembolization done?
RE is done by a specialist called an interventional radiologist in the interventional radiology department or operating room. Your provider will tell you how to prepare for the procedure, what medications you cannot take before the procedure, and any restrictions you will have.
What restrictions do I have after the procedure?
For the week after your procedure, you will need to limit your contact with other people. This is because they can be exposed to the radiation in your body. You should:
What is Y 90?
Jeremy McBride, M.D., an interventional radiologist with Mayo Clinic Health System, suggested a minimally invasive radiation treatment known as Y-90 to strategically attack the tumors invading Turnbull’s liver. The treatment works by injecting tiny particles into the arteries feeding the tumors with blood.
When was Turnbull's liver treated?
To minimize the risk of injury to Turnbull’s liver, Dr. McBride treated half of the liver at a time. The first treatment was in July 2016, the second in October. Follow-up scans thus far have shown positive results, Dr. McBride says.
What is Y-90 SIRT Therapy?
Y-90 Selective Internal Radiation Therapy is a minimally invasive procedure that combines embolization and radiation therapy to treat primary and secondary liver cancer. This form of treatment involves using tiny beads, called microspheres, that deliver radiation directly to tumors in the liver.
Who is a Candidate for Y-90 SIRT Therapy?
Each year in the United States, about 24,000 men and 10,000 women are diagnosed with liver cancer. For multiple reasons, many patients may not be candidates for the surgical removal of liver tumors. Their tumors may be too large, too numerous, or the tumors may be near important blood vessels.
Benefits of Using Y-90 SIRT Therapy to Treat Liver Cancer
Besides slowing the growth of tumors in the liver, Y-90 SIRT offers other benefits such as:
When was Y-90 first used?
FULL STORY. Interventional radiologists have been the leaders in the use of intra-arterial yttrium-90 radioembolization, since its introduction in 2000, to treat liver cancer. Now, new results from a large multi-institutional study show that treating liver tumors with higher doses of Y-90 than previously tried is safe, ...
Where are Y-90 microspheres injected?
With the Y-90 radioembolization treatment, the microspheres are injected through a catheter from the groin into the liver artery supplying the tumor. The beads become lodged within the tumor vessels where they exert their local radiation that causes cell death.
Why are liver tumors inoperable?
Liver tumors are often inoperable because the tumors may be too large or numerous or have grown into major blood vessels or other vital structures. Historically, chemotherapy drugs become less effective as the disease progresses," he added.
Is Y-90 safe for liver cancer?
Now, new results from a large multi-institutional study show that treating liver tumors with higher doses of Y-90 than previously tried is safe , provides results when chemotherapies have failed, preserves the patient's quality of life -- and can be done on an outpatient basis.
Can alcohol cause liver problems?
Alcohol Consumption in Late Teens Can Lead to Liver Problems in Adulthood. Jan. 21, 2018 — Alcohol is the leading cause of liver cirrhosis and liver-related deaths. Results of a large long-term study in Sweden have confirmed that drinking during late adolescence could be the first step ...
Does liver tissue help tumors?
Nov. 25, 2019 — A study discovered that healthy liver tissue surrounding a tumor activates a defense mechanism that restrains tumor growth . Remarkably, the researchers found that hyperactivation of this mechanism ...
Is radioembolization a curative treatment?
Radioembolization is a palliative, not a curative, treatment -- but patients benefit by having their lives extended and experiencing fewer side effects (such as the fatigue that can last for seven to 10 days after standard cancer therapy).
What is Y 90?
These radioactive particles contain yttrium-90, also referred to as Y-90, which radiates less than half an inch into adjacent tissue and limits the amount of liver exposed to radiation. Radioembolization is an outpatient treatment performed by an interventional radiologist with training in interventional oncology.
How to treat liver cancer early?
Another standard treatment for early liver cancer is thermal ablation, which is the controlled destruction of tumor by using probes that heat or cool tumors. The success of this therapy can be limited to smaller lesions in favorable locations within the liver.
What is radioembolization used for?
The treatment is commonly performed with sedation and local anesthesia. In the past, radioembolization was used for patients with liver cancer who had not responded to other treatments and had severe disease. Since it was customary to treat large portions of the liver, the dose of radiation had to be reduced to prevent liver damage.
What is the treatment for a tumor that is not a candidate for surgery?
Patients who are not candidates for surgery or ablation are commonly offered transarterial therapy , in which treatments are administered directly to the tumor from its blood supply, and systemic therapy, which is medicine that treats the whole body.
What is the advantage of liver transplant?
Liver transplantation offers the advantage of addressing the tumor and the underlying liver disease by replacing the affected organ with a healthy donor graft. But transplant is only available to patients with just a few small tumors who meet transplant criteria.
Does radioembolization shrink the liver?
Given the ability of the liver to regenerate, radioembolization has been found to treat tumors while simultaneously shrinking the volume of liver that a surgeon would remove — all while inducing growth of the liver that will remain in the patient after surgery.
Is liver cancer a risk factor?
ANSWER: Chronic liver disease is the most common risk factor for the development of liver cancer, and patients frequently face both conditions at the time of diagnosis. This presents a therapeutic challenge, as the tumor and the underlying liver dysfunction threaten patients' health and may limit their ability to be candidates for curative ...
What is Y90 treatment?
In contrast to most nuclear medicine applications, Y90 is therapeutic and designed to treat rather than simply diagnose. It is estimated that 75% to 95% of patients see improvement from treatment, potentially extending their lives or improving survival rates. In this post we’ll take a look at Y90, what it is, and how it works.
What is Y90 therapy?
When is Y90 therapy indicated? Hepatic (liver) tumors (lesions or masses) may originate as a primary cancer of the liver such as hepatocellular cancer (90% of primary liver cancers) or may be another form of cancer that has metastasized to the region . There are many treatment options available for hepatic lesions.
What is the mapping process for Y90?
Y90 mapping and its role with radioembolization therapy. There is a great deal of planning prior to performing a Y90 radioembolization. Here are a few steps: The first step in the process is referred to as the “mapping”. The mapping process involves a very similar process to the radioembolization treatment itself;
What is Y90 used for?
Yttrium-90 (Y90) is a commonly used isotope within the nuclear medicine and radiation oncology communities for radiation therapy. When used for the treatment, Y90 is relied upon to provide a prescribed amount of radiation to a targeted area. Y90 is most commonly used during a radioembolization therapy, an internal radiation therapy.
What happens if more than 20% of the Y90 is administered?
If more than 20% of the administered mapping dose goes to the lungs, the patient may be required to undergo further embolization to ensure that the Y90 will be directed to the intended location within the tumor.The type of camera used is important.
How many people are diagnosed with Y90?
Disease incidence treated with Y90. Based on the available statistics for the United States, it is estimated that 1 in 3,210 individuals annually will be diagnosed with primary colorectal cancer that will metastasize to the liver. Similarly, 1 in 7,675 individuals each year will be diagnosed with primary liver cancer.
How long does a Y90 stay in place?
These spheres will remain in the tumor and are not removed. The Y90 has a half-life of 64.2 hours. This means that it will be non-radioactive in about a month’s time.

Y90 Treatment at Columbia Interventional Radiology
Are There Any Risks?
- The procedure is relatively safe when performed by an experienced interventional radiologist. Major complications include: 1. Post-embolization syndrome consisting of consisting of pain, nausea, and low-grade fever 2. Irritation of the stomach or small intestine, including ulcers 3. Fatigue, which is typically significant and can last from a few days to a few weeks
After The Procedure
- Most patients are scheduled early in the day in our outpatient office and recover in their own private room, going home in the afternoon. Imaging is performed on the day of the procedure to confirm the location within the liver where the radiation particles have been deposited. For the next week you may experience a low-grade fever, lethargy, or fatigue. Pain is not a common sid…
Follow Up
- We will schedule a follow up appointment with you about two weeks after the procedure. Chemotherapy can typically be restarted one to two weeks after the procedure. Follow up imaging, such as CT, MRI, or PET CT, is usually performed approximately eight weeks after the procedure.
Locations
- Our interventional radiologists perform Y90 treatment in safe and comfortable outpatient offices. We have locations in Manhattan and Westchester.
What Is Y-90?
- Yttrium-90 (Y-90) is a radioactive substance. This means it gives off radiation. It is attached to tiny beads that are smaller than a human hair. These beads are injected (put) into the main artery that brings blood to the liver. The beads get trapped in the tumor and small blood vessels that bring blood to the liver tumor(s).
How Does Y-90 Work?
- Y-90 radioembolization (RE) works two ways: 1. The beads block off blood vessels, preventing blood flow to the tumor. This is called embolization. Cutting off the blood supply helps kill cancer cells. 2. The beads lodge in the tumor(s) and give off a high dose of radiation to the tumor tissue around them. This kills the tumor but limits the damage to healthy tissue that is beyond the reac…
What Cancers Can Be Treated with Y-90 Re?
- Y-90 RE beads are used to treat hepatocellular (liver) cancer or other cancers that have spread (metastasized) to the liver.
How Is The Radioembolization done?
- RE is done by a specialist called an interventional radiologist in the interventional radiology department or operating room. Your provider will tell you how to prepare for the procedure, what medications you cannot take before the procedure, and any restrictions you will have. Y-90 RE is usually done as an outpatient procedure and you can go home after. Before the actual Y-90 RE p…
What Can I Expect After The Procedure?
- After the procedure some people have: 1. Fatigue that lasts for several weeks after treatment. 2. A low fever for a week after treatment. 3. Nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. 4. Pain from the blood supply being cut off to the area. This can be treated with pain medicines. If these symptoms continue, talk with your care team. 5. If you have pain that lasts more than 6-8 hours, …
What Restrictions Do I Have After The Procedure?
- For the week after your procedure, you will need to limit your contact with other people. This is because they can be exposed to the radiation in your body. You should: 1. Limit close contact with others for the first week. 2. Not sleep in the same bed as your partner. 3. Not sit next to anyone for more than 2 hours. 4. Not come in close contact with children or pregnant women. Talk to your …
When Should I Call My Care Team?
- You should call your care team after the procedure if you have: 1. Bleeding, redness, or drainage from the area where the catheter went in. 2. Fever greater than 100.4°F or 38.0°C. 3. Pain that continues more than a week after treatment or is not relieved with pain medication. 4. If you develop jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) or a swollen belly (ascites) up to 3 months after …