Y90 Radioembolization for Liver Tumors

What to Expect During Treatment

Y90 radioembolization is typically performed in two stages. The first visit involves a mapping angiogram to visualize the blood vessels of your liver and identify the best approach to your tumors. Our team will also block any vessels that might allow radiation to reach other organs.

During treatment, you’ll receive mild sedation and local anesthesia to keep you comfortable. Our interventional radiologists will make a small incision in your groin to access the femoral artery and use real-time imaging to guide a catheter into the hepatic artery — the main blood vessel feeding liver tumors. Once in position, thousands of Y90 microspheres are released, lodging in the small vessels surrounding the tumors and emitting radiation to destroy cancer cells.

Y90 Radioembolization Recovery

Compared to more invasive surgery, recovery from Y90 radioembolization is relatively quick. However, you may experience fatigue, mild abdominal pain, loss of appetite or nausea for several days after treatment. Depending on the dose received, you may also need to limit contact with other people to avoid exposing them to radiation. Most patients can resume normal activities within a week. Our team will schedule follow-up imaging at regular intervals to monitor the treatment’s effectiveness and determine if additional sessions are needed.