where is use Yttrium-90 and Its Side Effect
Yttrium-90 or Y-90 is a commonly used isotope in the medical field specially in departments like nuclear medicine and radiation oncology for radiation therapy. This radioisotope is relied upon to provide a prescribed amount of radiation to a targeted area , such as a tumor. One of the most common uses of Y90 is during an internal radiation therapy called radioembolization. Radioembolization or Transarterial Radioembolization using Y-90 involves the use of glass/ resin spheres that are filled with the isotope and placed directly into the blood supply of the liver tumor through a minimally invasive procedure. These spheres get lodged within the tumor itself. The doctors then block off the blood vessels to prevent blood flow (embolization). These Y-90 labelled spheres then get to work by radiating and destroying the tumor. Commonly, Y-90 labelled spheres are used for the treatment of liver tumors, primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and unresectable primary colorectal cancer th