Y-90 Therapy: Radiation Delivered From Inside the Tumor
Yttrium-90 microspheres are injected through the tumor's own blood supply, delivering high-dose internal radiation directly to liver tumors while sparing healthy liver tissue. Our partner — Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital — operates a dedicated Y-90 liver tumor interventional radiotherapy center.
Read the case report: from inoperable to operable after Y-90 radioembolization →
What Is Y-90 Radioembolization?
Liver tumors are fed primarily by the hepatic artery. Y-90 radioembolization exploits this: millions of microscopic resin or glass beads loaded with yttrium-90 — a beta-emitting isotope — are guided by catheter into the arteries feeding the tumor, lodging inside it and irradiating it from within over about two weeks.
Y-90 is commonly discussed for:
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (primary liver cancer)
- Liver metastases from colorectal cancer and other primaries
- Patients unsuitable for surgery or ablation
- Downstaging tumors before surgery or transplantation (in selected cases)
Quick Facts
| Procedure | Minimally invasive catheter procedure |
|---|---|
| Hospital stay | Typically short (often 1–3 days), subject to assessment |
| Pre-work | Mapping angiography + dosimetry before treatment |
| Evaluation | Liver function and tumor burden must be assessed |
Suitability depends on liver function, tumor size/number and vascular anatomy. Decided only by the medical team.
Our Partner Hospital: Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital
Y-90 Liver Tumor Interventional Radiotherapy Center
Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital — affiliated with Tsinghua University — runs a dedicated center for yttrium-90 liver tumor interventional radiotherapy, integrating interventional radiology, hepatobiliary surgery, oncology and nuclear medicine.
- Dedicated Y-90 interventional radiotherapy center
- University-affiliated tertiary hospital in China's capital
- Multidisciplinary liver cancer program
Center page: btch.edu.cn
Why Beijing for Y-90?
Beijing offers international patients excellent flight connections, extensive English-capable medical infrastructure, and the ability to combine treatment with second opinions from other top-tier institutions in the capital.
Our coordinators arrange the full pathway: record review, dosimetry planning, hospital admission, interpretation, accommodation near the hospital, and follow-up coordination after you return home.
Start a Y-90 Case ReviewFrequently Asked Questions
Is Y-90 a surgery?
No. It is a minimally invasive image-guided procedure: a catheter is threaded to the liver's arteries and the Y-90 microspheres are injected. There is no open surgery and no large incision.
How many Y-90 treatments will I need?
Often a single session treats one liver lobe; some patients need two sessions (one per lobe), and some combine Y-90 with other therapies. The plan depends on your tumor burden and liver function.
What tests are needed before Y-90?
Liver function tests, imaging (CT/MRI/PET-CT), and a mapping angiography with dosimetry to plan the radiation dose and confirm safe placement. We help organize all of this locally.