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Radioembolization (Y90)
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. This blocks the supply of blood to the cancer cells and delivers a high dose of radiation to the tumor while sparing normal tissue. It can help extend the lives of patients with inoperable tumors and improve their quality of life.
Your doctor will tell you how to prepare and instruct you on eating or drinking before the procedure. Tell your doctor if there’s a possibility you are pregnant or breastfeeding and discuss any recent illnesses, medical conditions, allergies and medications you’re taking, including herbal supplements and aspirin. You may be advised to stop taking aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or blood thinners several days prior to your procedure. Leave jewelry at home and wear loose, comfortable clothing. You may be asked to wear a gown. Have someone drive you home afterward, and plan to have your contact with children and adults restricted for three to seven days.
What is Radioembolization?What are some common uses of the procedure?How should I prepare?What does the equipment look like?How does the procedure work?How is the procedure performed?What will I experience during and after the procedure?Who interprets the results and how do I get them?What are the benefits vs. risks?What are the limitations of Radioembolization?
What is Radioembolization
Radioembolization is a combination ofradiation therapy and a procedure calledembolization to treat cancer of the liver.
Embolization is a minimally invasive treatment in which blood vessels or malformations within blood vessels are occluded, or blocked off, to prevent blood flow.
Radiation therapy is the use of a certain type of energy, called ionizing radiation, to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Unlike external beam therapy (EBT), in which high-energy x-raybeams generated by a machine are directed at the tumor from outside the body, radioembolization involves placing aradioactive material directly inside the body. This form of treatment is called internalradiation therapy.
In radioembolization, tiny glass or resin beads called microspheres are placed inside the blood vessels that feed a tumor in order to block the supply of blood to the cancer cells. Once these microspheres, which are filled with the radioactive isotope yttrium Y-90, become lodged at the tumor site, they deliver a high dose of radiation to the tumor and not to normal tissues.
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What are some common uses of the procedure?
Radioembolization is used to treat tumors that began in the liver or have spread, ormetastasized, to the liver from another part of the body. It is a palliative treatment, which means it does not provide a cure but instead helps slow down the growth of the disease and alleviate symptoms. The procedure is an option for patients who are not candidates for other treatments, including surgery or liver transplantation.
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How should I prepare?
Several days before the procedure, you will have an office consultation with theinterventional radiologist who will perform your procedure.
Prior to your procedure, your blood may be tested to determine how well your kidneys are functioning and whether your blood clots normally.
You will also have an angiogram that will produce pictures of the blood vessels feeding the tumor seven to 10 days before your procedure.
You will need to make plans for your return home following your procedure as your contact with children and adults may be restricted for three to seven days.
You should report to your doctor all medications that you are taking, including herbal supplements, and if you have any allergies, especially to local anestheticmedications, general anesthesia or to contrast materials containing iodine (sometimes referred to as "dye" or "x-ray dye"). Your physician may advise you to stop taking aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or blood thinners for a specified period of time before your procedure.
Also inform your doctor about recent illnesses or other medical conditions.
Women should always inform their physician and x-ray technologist if there is any possibility that they are pregnant. Many imaging tests are not performed during pregnancy so as not to expose the fetus to radiation. If an x-ray is necessary, precautions will be taken to minimize radiation exposure to the baby. See the Safety page for more information about pregnancy and x-rays.
You will receive specific instructions on how to prepare, including any changes that need to be made to your regular medication schedule.
You will be given a sedative during the procedure. You will receive specific instructions on eating and drinking before the procedure and will need to have a relative or