Preparing for Y-90 Microspheres Radioembolization Therapy

Y-90 Microspheres Radioembolization is an innovative, targeted cancer therapy that delivers radiation directly to liver tumours while sparing healthy tissue. During this procedure, millions of tiny radioactive beads (microspheres) are precisely delivered through your blood vessels directly to the liver tumours. These microspheres contain yttrium-90, a radioactive element that delivers radiation to the tumour sites.

This treatment combines two approaches:

1.      Embolization: The microspheres block small blood vessels feeding the tumours

2.      Radiation therapy: The Y-90 delivers concentrated radiation directly to the tumour cells

The radiation from the microspheres affects a very small area (2.5mm to 11mm) around where they lodge in the liver, meaning healthy tissue receives minimal exposure. The radioactivity naturally decreases over time and is essentially gone within two weeks, though safety precautions are needed during this period.

During Your Hospital Stay

Immediate Post-Procedure Care:

• You may be hospitalised after the procedure
• For the first 24 hours:
  • Sit down to urinate
  • Double flush the toilet after use
• Adult visitors:
  • Brief visits (few minutes) are allowed
  • For longer visits (over 2 hours), maintain 2 metres distance

Recovery Guidelines

Activity:

• Gradually resume normal activities as tolerated

Personal Care:

• Maintain daily hygiene
• Take regular showers
• Wash hands after toilet use
• Remove wound dressing as instructed

Medications:

• Take all prescribed medications as directed

Post-Discharge Instructions (First 2 Days)

Avoid:

• Sharing a bed with partner
• Extended public transport use (over 2 hours)
• Close contact with children under 12 and pregnant women
• Crowded public places
• Maintain 1 meter distance from pregnant women and children when possible.

Important Information

Common Side Effects:

• Fever
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea (These may last up to a week - take prescribed medications as needed)

Special Precautions:

• Carry your discharge note when travelling (4 weeks)
• Request travel memo if needed for overseas travel
• Avoid pregnancy or fathering children for 2 months
• Use effective contraception during this period
• Females should stop breastfeeding until next pregnancy

Seek Medical Attention If You Experience:

• Fever of 38°C or above
• Persistent abdominal pain
• Any concerning symptoms

Contact Information

For follow-up care and more information, please do not hesitate to get in touch with:

During Office Hours:

• Department of Nuclear Medicine (Block 2 Basement 1) @ 6326 5357

After Office Hours:

• SGH  General Enquiries (24hrs) @ 6222 3322

 Our patient information leaflet is available for download: Y90 Therapy.pdf