yttrium-90 radioembolization

Yttrium-90 radioembolization is a minimally invasive liver-directed therapy for primary and secondary hepatic malignancies. It involves the transarterial administration of millions of microspheres loaded with the radioactive isotope yttrium-90 directly into the blood supply feeding liver tumors. The microspheres become lodged in tumor microvasculature and emit high-energy beta radiation (β-particles), causing targeted radiation-induced necrosis of tumor tissue while sparing most healthy liver parenchyma. This procedure combines embolic effects (blocking blood flow to tumors) with localized internal radiotherapy. It is primarily used for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma and metastatic cancers to the liver (such as colorectal cancer metastases), as well as neuroendocrine tumors involving the liver[1][2][3][6][8]. The two main commercial products are TheraSphere (glass microspheres) and SIR-Spheres (resin-based microspheres)[3][6].

Brand names

TheraSphereSIR-Spheres

Other names

selective internal radiation therapySIRTtransarterial radioembolizationTAREY-90 radioembolizationY90 radioembolizationY 90 radioembolization