Current status of yttrium-90 microspheres radioembolization in primary and metastatic liver cancer

Abstract

Liver malignancy, including primary liver cancer and metastatic liver cancer, has become one of the most common causes of cancer-related death worldwide due to the high malignant degree and limited systematic treatment strategy. Radioembolization with yttrium-90 (⁹⁰Y)-loaded microspheres is a relatively novel technology that has made significant progress in the local treatment of liver malignancy. The different steps in the extensive work-up of radioembolization for patients with an indication for treatment with ⁹⁰Y microspheres, from patient selection to follow up, both technically and clinically, are discussed in this paper. It describes the application and development of ⁹⁰Y microspheres in the treatment of liver cancer.