What is the use of yttrium-90?
Yttrium-90 is a radioactive substance. It is used in radiation therapy (radiotherapy) to treat cancer.
What type of radiation does yttrium-90 emit?
Yttrium-90 (90Y, center) is a high-energy β− emitting radioisotope used clinically for targeted radiotherapy (upper left).
Why is yttrium-90 used to treat cancer?
Tiny glass or resin beads filled with the radioactive isotope yttrium Y-90 are placed inside the blood vessels that feed a tumor. This blocks the supply of blood to the cancer cells and delivers a high dose of radiation to the tumor while sparing normal tissue.
How much does yttrium-90 cost?
The price of a Y-90 ranges from $30,000 to $35,000 with an average of $32,500.
Where does yttrium-90 come from?
Yttrium-90 is produced by the nuclear decay of strontium-90 which has a half-life of nearly 29 years and is a fission product of uranium used in nuclear reactors. As the strontium-90 decays, chemical high-purity separation is used to isolate the yttrium-90 before precipitation.
What is a TACE procedure?
Trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE) It combines embolization with chemotherapy (chemo). Most often, this is done by giving chemotherapy through the catheter directly into the artery, then plugging up the artery, so the chemo can stay close to the tumor.
Does Y90 make you sick?
You may feel more tired than usual and tire more easily for up to 3 weeks after the procedure. You may feel sick to your stomach and not feel like eating for several days. You will be given a prescription for medicine to control the nausea. You may lose some weight before you feel like eating again.
How long does it take Y90 to work?
Patients generally resume normal activities within one or two weeks. Y90 treatment can be used in combination with traditional treatments for cancer, including surgery, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy.