New treatment for liver cancer available at Berkeley Medical Center
MARTINSBURG, WV — WVU Medicine Berkeley Medical Center is now offering a new treatment for liver cancer, according to a community announcement.
Y-90 radioembolization is a minimally invasive procedure that targets cancer within the liver, according to the announcement. The treatment combines radiation therapy with embolization by delivering tiny radioactive beads containing the isotope Yttrium-90 directly into the blood vessels feeding the tumor. This method cuts off the tumor’s blood supply while delivering high-dose radiation to the cancerous cells, sparing the surrounding healthy tissue.
The procedure involves inserting a catheter into the patient’s femoral or radial artery, which is then guided to the liver’s blood supply. Once in place, millions of microscopic Y-90 beads are released, lodging in the tumor’s blood vessels. These beads emit radiation over a few weeks, shrinking the tumor and limiting its growth. Because the radiation is localized, patients typically experience fewer side effects compared to traditional external beam radiation.
Y-90 radioembolization is primarily used for patients with inoperable liver cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma or metastatic liver tumors from other cancers such as colorectal cancer. It is an option for patients who are not candidates for surgery or other treatments and can help manage symptoms, improve quality of life and, in some cases, extend survival.
Vivek Padha, chief of interventional radiology, introduced this new treatment option with support from the WVU Cancer Institute at Berkeley Medical Center after recognizing the need for new, advanced options for treating inoperable cancer within the liver.
“I’m proud to work alongside our oncology team to bring this advanced, life-saving therapy to our patients,” Padha said in the announcement. “By combining our specialized knowledge and cutting-edge technology, we are able to offer patients a new hope in their fight against cancer.”
For more information, go to WVUMedicine.org/Berkeley.
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