Yttrium 90 Treatment for Liver Cancer
One of the possible treatments for liver cancer is delivering radiation to the tumor to kill the cancer cells. This can be completed with a minimally invasive procedure that is completed through the arteries that supply the liver. Dr. Dmitri Alden is one of the top liver specialists and oncological surgeons in the world, offering advanced liver cancer treatments. Dr. Alden offers Yttrium 90 treatment for liver cancer through his practice in UES Manhattan.
This treatment is effective for reducing the size of a primary or metastatic tumor. Radioembolization with Yttrium 90 is an FDA-approved treatment for liver cancer, specifically liver tumors that are unresectable. It can be used as palliative treatment or a precursor to liver tumor removal surgery. The procedure involves inserting a catheter into the artery that feeds the liver, usually placed in the groin. The catheter is threaded through the artery to the specific blood vessels that supply the liver tumor. Microspheres containing the radioactive Yttrium 90 are delivered through the catheter directly to the tumor.
Once the microspheres are imbedded in the blood vessels of the tumor, the high dose of internal radiation is released. This radiation kills the surrounding cancer cells but spares the healthy liver tissue and the rest of the body from radiation.
Liver Tumor Treatment and Regrowth
Yttrium 90 treatment for liver cancer has dual benefits. It can reduce the size of the liver tumor while initiating regrowth of the healthy portion of the liver. The procedure is minimally invasive and can be completed in about one hour. Patients are usually lightly sedated and often can return home the same day. This treatment has been used to reduce the size of large tumors before surgery or as a palliative treatment to extend and improve the quality of life for patients with advanced liver cancer.
To learn more about the cutting-edge liver cancer treatments available through the practice of Dr. Dmitri Alden, contact our office in New York City. We can schedule a virtual or in-person consultation with Dr. Alden to discuss treatment options for your case.