Y-90 Radioembolization, also known as Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIRT), uses millions of microscopic, radioactive beads to fight liver cancer from the inside out.
Common Indications for Y-90
This treatment is highly effective for patients with:
- Primary liver cancer or tumors that have spread to the liver.
- Liver tumors that cannot be removed surgically.
How is it different from normal radiation?
Traditional radiation is beamed from outside the body, which can damage healthy tissue. Y-90 delivers the radiation directly into the tumor's blood supply. The tiny beads get stuck inside the tumor, delivering a very high dose of radiation from the inside over the course of about two weeks.
Why do I need a "mapping" scan first?
Y-90 is a two-step process. About a month before your actual treatment, you must have a "mapping arteriogram." During this dry run, the doctor maps out the exact blood vessels feeding the tumor. Because the radioactive beads must stay in the liver, the doctor checks to see if any stray blood vessels connect the liver to your stomach or lungs. If they find any, they will block those stray vessels to ensure the radiation only goes exactly where it is supposed to.
What happens during the actual treatment?
Once your mapping is complete, the treatment day is very straightforward. The doctor navigates a tube into your liver artery and releases the radioactive Yttrium-90 beads. You will be relaxed and sleepy, and there is very little discomfort.
Conclusion
Y-90 provides a powerful dose of targeted radiation without the severe side effects of widespread therapy. By taking the extra step to map the vessels beforehand, doctors ensure this treatment is incredibly safe and precise.