Intra-arterial Y-90 Therapy

Intra-arterial Y-90 Therapy for Liver Cancer

A Targeted Treatment for Liver Tumors

Y-90 therapy, also called Yttrium-90 radioembolization, is an advanced treatment used for cancers that involve the liver. It is commonly used for:

1. Primary liver cancer (Hepatocellular carcinoma – HCC)
2. Cancer that has spread to the liver from other organs such as colon, pancreas etc.

This treatment delivers radiation directly to the tumor inside the liver, helping destroy cancer cells while protecting most of the healthy liver tissue.

How Does Y-90 Therapy Work?

Liver tumors receive most of their blood supply from the hepatic artery, while normal liver tissue receives blood mainly from the portal vein. Y-90 therapy takes advantage of this difference.

During the procedure:

Doctor inserts a thin tube (catheter) through a blood vessel in the groin or wrist.
The catheter is guided to the artery supplying the liver tumor.
Tiny radioactive beads containing Yttrium-90 are injected into these arteries.
These beads get trapped in the tumor’s blood vessels and release radiation directly into the cancer cells, destroying them over time.

This approach allows high-dose radiation to the tumor while sparing most normal liver tissue.

What Does the Treatment Involve?

What Types of Patients Can Benefit?

Y-90 therapy may be recommended for patients who have: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that cannot be removed by surgery, Liver metastases from cancers such as colon cancer, pancreatic tumors, breast cancer, or others, Tumors that are not responding to chemotherapy, Tumors that are too large or too many for other local treatments, Liver tumors that are not suitable for surgery or transplant

What Happens Before the Treatment?

Before Y-90 therapy, patients undergo a planning procedure to ensure the treatment is safe. This includes: Angiography to study liver blood vessels, Injection of a small tracer to see where the treatment particles may travel, A special nuclear medicine scan (99Tc MAA scan) to confirm that the radiation will stay mainly in the liver, This step helps doctors plan the treatment precisely and reduce the risk of side effects.

The Treatment Procedure

The procedure takes about 1–2 hours, Usually performed under local anesthesia. A catheter is inserted through the groin or wrist artery, Y-90 microspheres are delivered into the liver tumor arteries, Patients are usually observed for a few hours and often go home the same day or next day

What Are the Benefits of Y-90 Therapy?

Y-90 therapy offers several advantages:

1. Highly targeted treatment
2. Delivers radiation directly to the tumor
3. Minimal damage to healthy liver tissue
4. Can shrink tumors and slow disease progression
5. May help control symptoms and improve quality of life
6. In some cases, can reduce tumor size enough to make surgery or transplant possible

Possible Side Effects

Most patients tolerate Y-90 therapy well. Some temporary side effects may include:
1. Mild fatigue
2. Low-grade fever
3. Abdominal discomfort
4. Nausea or reduced appetite

These symptoms are usually mild and resolve within a few days.

Recovery After the Procedure

Most patients can return to normal activities within a few days.
Follow-up includes:

Blood tests
Imaging scans (CT, MRI, or PET)
Clinical evaluation to monitor treatment response

A Personalized Approach to Liver Cancer Treatment

If you or your loved one has liver cancer, our doctor can help determine whether Y-90 radioembolization is an appropriate option.

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