title: Update on yttrium-90-based radio-embolization for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Catheter-based intra-arterial therapies provided effective tumour control for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma without distant metastasis. There was a renewed interest in the advancement of yttrium-90 radio-embolization.
  
  
  METHODS
  An extensive search on the MEDLINE databases identified seven case series and two comparative studies regarding yttrium-90 radio-embolization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Case series on yttrium-90 radio-embolization indicated a tumour response rate that ranged from 20% to 70%, and median survival that ranged from 7.7 to 26.6 months. Two comparative studies did not demonstrate significant difference in terms of tumour response rate and survival. One of these comparative studies demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in treatment-related neutropaenia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The current use of yttrium-90 radio-embolization was mainly based on small case series. Yttrium-90 radio-embolization seemed equivalent to conventional chemo-embolization in terms of tumour response rate and survival benefit. Emerging evidence suggested that yttrium-90 radio-embolization may have a more favourable side effects profile, in particular in reducing the chance of neutropaenia. Cost and logistics arrangement were two important considerations in generalizing the application of yttrium-90 radio-embolization.
authors: Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors: Raymond Wai Man
authors: RW
authors: Kan
authors: Simon Hing Yin
authors: SH
authors: Tsang
authors: Ronnie Tung Ping
authors: RT
authors: Poon
authors: Tan To
authors: TT
authors: Cheung
mesh_terms: D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000628:therapy*; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D015021:Yttrium Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D015021:Yttrium Radioisotopes