Y-90 liver cancer treatment: What's your experience?

My husband is scheduled to have the Y90 next month. He was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2023 and had two lobes removed. Unfortunately, the cancer metastasized to the liver and he’s been receiving chemo and immuno therapy, but it isn't helping anymore, and the tumor has grown from 7 cm to 12 cm. So the next step is targeted therapy. He’s hardly eating (says he's not hungry) and so fatigued that he just sits on the sofa most of the day. Just walking to the bathroom or to the garage exhausts him and when he does, he’s weak and I’m afraid he’s going to fall. What concerns me is if the Y90 will make him even weaker and fatigued? Has anyone been in this situation and found the Y90 actually made them feel better than before?

--Jackie

Did your husband have only 1 procedure? My husband is scheduled for the Y90 and they are doing it twice.

I received the Y90 TARE treatment in Nov 24. Immediately afterward, I started a 2 yr drug trial with Durvalumab and Bevacizumab which are immunotherapy and tumor-starving drugs respectively. I do notice a lower energy level and I sleep for longer periods of time, but I am not certain which treatment caused this. I wish I could predict if the Y90 will add to your husband's fatigue, or if it will have no additional negative impact. I know that the Y90 gave me a significant mental boost. I know that many of us feel depressed at times which can bring on fatigue. But I wish you and your husband the best and have added you to my prayer list.

Leo

Could you tell me what Y-90 is? I had a bowel cancer op in Nov 2022, liver cancer op in Aug 2024 and have now been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer but remain very fit - just completed a 300 mile bike ride over a week in France (albeit on an e-bike!). A scan at the end of August and a meeting with my oncologist will determine what happens next and so it will be useful to know about Y-90. I'm aged 80.5. Thanks for your advice.

Leo, thank you so much for your reply! I hadn't even considered if his fatigue and loss of appetite may be depression related. He is not very good about sharing his feelings with me so I just thought it was the cancer/treatments.

I'm not sure what the Y90 TARE is... it was presented to us as Y90. He has an appt next week with the doctor that will do the procedure so I will ask if this is the same procedure or something different. Did you have much pain afterwards?

And finally, thank you for adding my husband to your prayer list! You will be in my prayers as well. Thank you.

--Jacqueline

Thank you for including me on your prayer list! TARE is trans-arterial radioembolization. They move the Y90 radiation through an artery in the leg to the location of the tumor....in my case, the liver. Minimal pain and discomfort with only local anesthesia ( at least in my case). I was awake throughout the procedure. Take care!

TARE is trans-arterial radioembolization. It is a procedure that delivers targeted radiation, Y90 in my case, to the tumor via an artery. I am not sure what types of cancer it is used for.

Thanks. That's very helpful.

I started Y-90 treatment July 2,2025 for a tumor on my liver. My symptoms go from tolerable to extreme. Headaches, chills, rash over my chest neck and stomach, bloating, nausea, pain radiating up to my right shoulder, pain down the right side of my back, shortness of breath including taking a breath with shooting pains on the right side up to my chest, easily fatigued and really only to have abouy a cup of food during a meal. Unable to lie flat, or turn on my side. Sleep is almost impossible. I did go to the ER in August and testing showed growth since the first MRI in July. I have used pain meds three times for extreme pain. I have a followup in September plus another MRI. I do not see how I can continue this with another dose for an unknown result. I have asked many questions, yet never getting a response as to are my symptoms normal.

Are your symptoms from the tumor?