Y-90 Treatment for Liver Cancer

Y-90 Treatment for Liver Cancer

Yttrium-90 (Y-90) radioembolization is a highly targeted, minimally invasive procedure that uses localized, high doses of radiation to treat liver tumors effectively.


What Is Y-90?

Y-90 radioembolization involves delivering yttrium-90, a radioactive substance, directly to the liver tumor’s blood supply. It delivers internal radiation to the tumor while sparing healthy tissue.

How it works:

  • Tiny glass beads (microspheres) containing yttrium-90 are injected into the tumor's blood vessels.
  • These beads emit radiation to suppress tumor growth.
  • Over time, the tumor shrinks or dies, and healthy liver tissue remains unaffected.

Y-90 can be used to:

  • Slow or stop cancer progression
  • Relieve cancer-related symptoms
  • Shrink tumors to make liver surgery or transplantation possible

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Benefits of Y-90

  • Preserves healthy liver tissue by avoiding large resections
  • Minimally invasive with a faster recovery than surgery
  • Effective for patients ineligible for liver transplant or surgery
  • Can shrink tumors to make patients eligible for liver transplants or other surgical treatments
  • Fewer side effects compared to systemic treatments like chemotherapy

Am I a Candidate for Y-90?

You may be a candidate for Y-90 if:

  • You have liver cancer or cancer that has spread to the liver
  • Surgery or other treatments are not an option due to:
    • Location, size or number of tumors
    • Overall health concerns

What to Expect During the Procedure

Y-90 treatment occurs in two phases: mapping and treatment

Phase one: mapping (preparation)

  • Goal: Identify the blood vessels supplying the liver tumor and isolate the vessels that are not.
  • Procedure:
    • An angiogram is performed: A catheter (thin tube) is inserted into a blood vessel in the groin or wrist.
    • Blood vessels feeding the tumor are identified and others are blocked with tiny coils to protect healthy tissue.
    • A harmless radioactive tracer is injected to assess treatment strength and precision.
  • Duration: about two hours
  • Sedation: Patients are given moderate sedation to remain relaxed but awake.

Phase two: treatment

  • Procedure:
    • Similar to mapping, another angiogram is performed.
    • Yttrium-90 microspheres are injected into the tumor's blood supply.
    • The radiation directly targets and destroys cancer cells from the inside.
  • Duration: about one hour
  • Sedation: Conscious sedation—patients are awake but drowsy and relaxed.

After the Procedure

  • Patients are typically released the same day.
  • Recovery is quick, with most patients walking unassisted within a few hours.
  • Full recovery is expected in about three weeks.

Common Side Effects:

  • Fatigue
  • Mild abdominal pain
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Gastrointestinal ulcers (rare)

Alternate Treatment Options

In addition to Y-90, other treatments for liver tumors include:

Medical Management

Surgical Interventions

  • Partial liver resection: removes tumors but may not be an option for some patients

  • Liver transplant

Frequently Asked Questions

What is liver cancer? 

Liver cancer is a disease in which cancerous cells form in the liver. These cells multiply and can spread to other areas of the body.

Is Y-90 painful? 

The procedure is generally painless. Some patients may experience:

  • A brief warm sensation during the mapping contrast injection
  • Minor discomfort or pain in the liver area after the treatment

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