Yttrium-90 microspheres are tiny radioactive particles used in a medical procedure called radioembolization. Here's a breakdown of what they are and how they're used:
Composition: These microspheres are made of glass or resin and contain the radioactive isotope Yttrium-90 (Y-90). Each sphere is incredibly small, about the size of a few red blood cells.
Function: Y-90 microspheres deliver a concentrated dose of radiation directly to tumors, particularly in the liver. The tiny size allows them to travel through arteries and lodge in the tumor's blood vessels. Once there, the Y-90 emits radiation that damages and destroys cancer cells.
Treatment: Radioembolization with Y-90 microspheres is typically used for inoperable tumors or when surgery or other therapies are not suitable. Here's a simplified view of the process:
- A catheter is inserted through the groin and threaded into the liver artery feeding the tumor.
- The Y-90 microspheres are injected through the catheter.
- The microspheres get lodged in the tumor's blood vessels.
- Y-90 within the microspheres emits radiation, killing nearby cancer cells.
Benefits:
- Delivers high radiation doses directly to the tumor, minimizing damage to healthy tissue.
- Minimally invasive procedure compared to surgery.
- Can be used for patients who cannot undergo surgery or other treatments.
- May improve survival rates and quality of life for some cancer patients.
Conditions Treated:
- Liver cancer: Y-90 microspheres are most commonly used to treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of liver cancer.
- Metastatic cancer: They can also be used to treat some cancers that have spread (metastasized) to the liver from other parts of the body, such as colorectal cancer.