What is Radioembolization used for?

Radioembolization is a minimally invasive procedure that combines embolization and radiation therapy to treat liver cancer. Tiny glass or resin beads filled with the radioactive isotope yttrium Y-90 are placed inside the blood vessels that feed a tumor.

Why do we use 90Y microspheres?

90Y microspheres are injected into the arterial supply of the liver, where they preferentially flow into hypervascularized tumor areas, resulting in a significantly higher irradiation of tumor tissue than of normal liver parenchyma (5).

What is Radioembolization liver?

Radioembolization (ray-dee-oh-em-beh-lih-ZAY-shun) is a procedure used to treat some kinds of liver tumors. A specialized doctor, called an interventional radiologist, injects tiny beads containing radioactive material into a blood vessel that leads to the tumor.

What is the most common adverse effect from radioembolization?

Many people experience symptoms of fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, fever, and loss of appetite after radioembolization. These effects are usually mild or moderate, and most people leave the hospital within a day or two after the procedure.

How is yttrium 90 made?

Production. Yttrium-90 is produced by the nuclear decay of strontium-90 which has a half-life of nearly 29 years and is a fission product of uranium used in nuclear reactors. As the strontium-90 decays, chemical high-purity separation is used to isolate the yttrium-90 before precipitation.

What are the side effects of SBRT?

The most common side effects of SBRT are:

  • Feeling tired.
  • Redness, like sunburn, at the place on your body where you got the radiation.
  • Itchiness in the area of the radiation.
  • Swelling in the spot you had the radiation.
  • Nausea or vomiting if the tumor is near your bowel or liver.

What are the side effects of radiation beads?

Many people experience symptoms of fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, fever, and loss of appetite after radioembolization. These effects are usually mild or moderate, and most people leave the hospital within a day or two after the procedure. Radioembolization has a low rate of serious side effects.

How many times can you have Y90 treatments?

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. “He could potentially have that multiple times to prolong his survival and keep him doing well,” Dr.