Innovative Treatment for Liver Cancer? You’ll Find It Right Here, Close to Home.

The latest weapon against inoperable liver cancer is so small, millions of them are required for each treatment. But these microscopic elements not only deliver a therapeutic wallop, but also a huge dose of hope.

Y-90 radioembolization is a treatment that consists of guiding a microcatheter into the hepatic artery and inserting millions of microscopic radioactive beads. The beads target the smaller vessels that directly feed the tumor, emitting radiation to kill the tumor cells. Since the radiation is localized in the tumor, the surrounding healthy tissue is unaffected.

“Clinical trials indicate that Y-90 radioembolization can drastically reduce liver tumor volume and may improve cancer survival,” says Scott Koss, M.D., interventional radiologist at ProHealth Care. “Advanced liver cancer is a very complex disease, yet this minimally invasive treatment has shown great promise in extending lives without adversely affecting quality of life.”

Y-90 radioembolization is FDA-approved and only available at leading academic centers. It is currently performed on an outpatient basis at Waukesha Memorial Hospital and will be offered later this year at Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital.