Since the implementation of the Yttrium-90 microsphere treatment project for liver tumors in Xi'an International Medical Center Hospital on March 10, 2023, dozens of liver cancer patients have been screened, evaluated, and successfully treated. The postoperative follow-up results showed that Yttrium-90 had a significant anti-tumor effect. After treatment, the lesions of large liver cancer or massive liver cancer were significantly reduced, and some patients had significantly increased residual liver volume; Through treatment, small liver cancer can achieve a curative effect that is equivalent to surgical resection without surgery.

Case 1: Patient male, 76 years old, with primary hepatocellular carcinoma. The tumor is located at the junction of the left and right lobes of the liver, with a size of approximately 4 * 3cm. Although the tumor is small, due to its unique location, as well as factors such as the patient's advanced age and hypertension, the risk of surgical resection is high. The family strongly demands the use of yttrium-90 therapy and minimally invasive intervention to achieve the effect of radical tumor treatment without surgery.


(Pre operative CT shows a 4 * 3cm tumor lesion in the right lobe of the liver)


(Three months after surgery, CT scan showed a 1 * 1cm low-density necrotic lesion of the tumor.)


Case 2: Patient male, 60 years old, with primary hepatocellular carcinoma. The tumor is located in the right lobe of the liver, with a size of approximately 9.5 * 7.7cm. Multiple lymph node metastases are present in the hilar area, diaphragmatic angle, and retroperitoneum. After evaluation, there was no surgical indication, so I came to our hospital for yttrium 90 treatment, and the tumor reduction effect was significant. Currently receiving targeted immune systemic therapy as scheduled.


(Pre operative CT showed a massive liver cancer in the right lobe and a tumor thrombus in the right portal vein)


(Three months after surgery, CT scan showed significant reduction in liver cancer and regression of tumor thrombi.)


(Immediately after surgery, both ECT (left) and PET-CT (right) showed good distribution of Y-90 microspheres within the tumor.)

Case 3: Patient male, 47 years old, with primary hepatocellular carcinoma. The tumor is located in the right lobe of the liver, with a tumor thrombus in the right branch of the portal vein. After multiple TACE (hepatic artery chemoembolization) procedures, there is no further benefit, and active lesions recur repeatedly in the liver. So we received yttrium-90 treatment in our hospital, achieving strong tumor reduction and increased contralateral liver lobe volume.


(Pre operative CT shows a patchy enhancement tumor lesion in the right lobe of the liver)


(After 6 weeks of surgery, CT scan showed a significant reduction in enhanced lesions in the right lobe of the original liver, while the contralateral lobe of the liver significantly increased.)

The successful implementation and good therapeutic effects of yttrium-90 minimally invasive interventional therapy for liver cancer have brought new hope to many liver cancer patients. With the joint efforts of the medical team of the Digestive Disease Hospital, we believe that this precise "nuclear warhead" technology for tackling liver cancer can quickly benefit more patients, provide more possibilities for patients with advanced liver cancer, and regain the opportunity for radical treatment.