In the treatment of liver diseases, the therapeutic principle of Yttrium-90 resin microspheres is based on the anatomical characteristics of the liver: normal liver tissue and liver tumors are supplied by the portal vein and hepatic artery, respectively. Specifically, normal liver tissue receives approximately 75% of its blood supply from the portal vein, while liver tumors rely on the hepatic artery for over 90% of their blood supply. This difference provides the theoretical basis for Yttrium-90 resin microsphere treatment.

During treatment, interventional physicians use advanced microcatheter technology to precisely inject Yttrium-90 resin microspheres into the hepatic artery. Guided by blood flow, these microspheres travel directly to the liver tumor site, where they release β-radiation, effectively killing tumor cells. Due to their high energy, precise radiation, and sparing surrounding normal liver tissue, they precisely attack tumors from the inside out, earning them a reputation within the industry as a precision-guided "nuclear weapon" for liver cancer treatment.

Advantages of Yttrium-90 Therapy

Yttrium-90 microspheres are a treatment method that leverages the tumor's blood supply to selectively retain radioactive material within the tumor tissue, releasing radiation over a short distance to kill the tumor while minimizing damage to normal tissue. Its advantages include:

① Significant tumor reduction effect, achieving downstaging

Yttrium-90 microsphere therapy has the dual efficacy of significantly reducing tumors and increasing the volume of the remaining liver. Through auxiliary "downstaging" therapy, patients who do not meet liver transplant criteria can be downgraded to the Milan criteria, making transplantation possible for those who do not meet the indication criteria.

② Precisely targeted killing of cancerous tissue with minimal damage to normal liver tissue

The radiation from the Yttrium-90 microspheres causes irreversible damage to tumor cells, stromal cells, and endothelial cells, leading to tumor necrosis. This minimizes damage to surrounding normal liver tissue, maximizing the preservation of the remaining liver volume.

③ High rate of complete lesion elimination, reduced microvascular invasion, and lower post-transplant recurrence rate.

Compared with other conventional treatments, the five-year survival rate of patients with advanced liver cancer treated with Y-90 microspheres has increased to 60%-70%.

④ Short treatment cycle, minimal adverse reactions, and minimal impact on the patient's performance status.

Y-90 microsphere treatment offers the advantages of precise treatment, minimal trauma, and mild side effects. Therefore, it can also be used as a first-line treatment for elderly patients or those with liver cancer who have a poor performance status (PS).