What is Arteriogram for Liver Cancer?
Three different types of particles are used with this treatment:
- Y90 Radioembolization
- Chemoembolization
- Bland Embolization
Y90 Radioembolization
We are currently the only outpatient clinic in Colorado capable of performing the Y90 radioembolization procedure.
Embolization is performed to cut off or disrupt the blood supply in order to shrink or kill a tumor.
A Y90 treatment is a form of targeted radiation therapy utilized to treat liver cancer tumors. Microscopic radioactive spheres are injected through a catheter directly into the blood vessels that feed the tumor, simultaneously cutting off the blood supply and radiating the tumor at the same time. Once there, they emit radiation for a period of about a month, killing the tumors from the inside. The name Y90 comes from tiny beads that contain a radioactive substance called Yttrium-90.
Success rates vary widely depending on the type of cancer treated and the type of embolization performed.
Chemoembolization
Embolization is performed to cut off or disrupt the blood supply in order to shrink or kill a tumor.
A Chemoembolization treatment is a form of targeted radiation therapy utilized to treat liver cancer tumors. Microscopic spheres that emit chemotherapy are injected through a catheter directly into the blood vessels that feed the tumor, simultaneously cutting off the blood supply while also emitting chemotherapy directly into the tumor.
Success rates vary widely depending on the type of cancer treated and the type of embolization performed.
Bland Embolization
Embolization is performed to cut off or disrupt the blood supply in order to shrink or kill a tumor.
A Bland Embolization treatment is a form of targeted therapy utilized to treat liver cancer tumors. Microscopic particles – with no chemotherapy or radioactivity – are injected through a catheter directly into the arteries that feed the tumor in order to starve the tumor that will shrink it or kill it.
Success rates vary widely depending on the type of cancer treated and the type of embolization performed.
Am I a good candidate for Y90 Treatment?
Discuss this option with your oncologist and schedule a consultation with us to find out if you are a candidate for Y90 treatment. During the consultation with your physician, factors such as your health, medical history, and the type and location of your liver cancer will be evaluated to determine if this treatment is right for you.
Are There Side Effects?
Y90 is safe and effective with minimal side effects. The radiation from the Y90 beads targets primarily the tumors, causing little damage to healthy liver tissue. As a result, Y90 treatment produces fewer side effects than systemic radiation, which can expose other areas of the body.
Is There Any Recovery time?
A major advantage of Y90 is that it is a minimally invasive procedure. This means that it can be performed by ECCO’s interventional radiology doctors in the comfort of our office-based laboratory, on an outpatient basis. Because there are no large incisions, there is no need to check into a hospital, undergo general anesthesia, or stay overnight. Naturally, this reduces costs to both insurers and patients. This minimally invasive procedure leads to quicker recovery times.
