Yttrium-90 Radioembolization:  A New Cancer Treatment Paradigm

Essentially, this service is identical to the radioembolization but utilizes nonradioactive particles mixed with chemotherapy.  In some instances, this treatment is preferable to that of radioembolization particularly in those patients who do not qualify for the radiation due to mild liver failure or to shunting from the liver to the lung.  Dr. Coldwell will personally discuss this option with you if your laboratory data show that you are not a candidate or if there is new research that shows a particular tumor type has more favorable response to this therapy.

If a single tumor is present, particularly in the liver, kidney, bone or lung, that can be reached by placement of a special needle into it, the tumor can be ablated (or killed) in one sitting. This is usually done under CT guidance with general anesthetic but requires an overnight stay.  Usually this is utilized in patients who have painful bone metastases from a variety of tumors or in inoperable lung cancer or in single tumors in the liver.  Again, Dr. Coldwell will go over your studies with you and the two of you will decide what is the best option.