Side effects after having Y90 treatment Radioembolization

Posted by vincelinda24 @vincelinda24, Sep 29 6:13pm

My husband has liver cancer, tumour size 4.9 cm. On 21 August 2025, he had the Y90 treatment. Due in December a CT scan to see if it worked.

Since the treatment he is constipated, has to take Lactulose and Restoralax in order to go and sometimes it doesn’t work.

He also has no appetite, eats little and has lost weight.

He also has fatigue.

Is this all normal or is it a sign that the treatment is not working and the cancer is spreading?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Liver Cancer Support Group.

Turkey, Volunteer Mentor | @tomrennie | Sep 29 9:37pm

@vincelinda24 Hi. Welcome to Mayo Connect. There are several folks on here that have received the Y90 treatment. Each person seems to have their own unique experience. Give it a little time, so some of them can respond. Also, take a deep breath. You and your husband are not alone in your journey. Ok?

vincelinda24 | @vincelinda24 | Sep 30 1:17pm

Thank you for your words of encouragement.

advocate4her | @advocate4her | Sep 30 6:18pm

We had Y90. They got close enough to it that we have no visible tumor currently but we are aware that this cancer can return and has a tendency to do so. Wife was very tired and this could be radiation effect. Bowel issues seem to be prevalent with this cancer, either diarrhea or constipation could happen. In my wife’s case loose stools were more common but bother could occur. I know you are taking good care of your husband but please also take care of you. We joined the Cholangiocarcinoma foundation and were assigned a mentor and they are very helpful with insight into this cancer. My wife is a current mentor to others. They are very helpful. Dr Borad at Mayo Scottsdale speaks regularly at their conferences. He specializes in this cancer and we have seen him for recommendations. We are 2.5 years into our journey with this cancer and it’s very complex and usually there are multiple issues happening, some at the same time. Wish you the best of luck and being a good advocate is very hard but know you are in good company. We wish you well and success with a win against this cancer! Best.

Turkey, Volunteer Mentor | @tomrennie | Sep 30 10:27pm

In reply to @vincelinda24 "Thank you for your words of encouragement." + (show)

@vincelinda24 do you know the type of liver cancer that your husband has? That can make a difference.

vincelinda24 | @vincelinda24 | Oct 1 2:16pm

In reply to @advocate4her "We had Y90. They got close enough to it that we have no visible tumor currently..." + (show)

@advocate4her
I truly appreciate your input. Very sorry to hear about your wife and I also wish her well and successfully winning this battle. I know how hard it is for both of you and your family.
It’s my husband third cancer. First it was breast cancer in 2022, had a mastectomy, chemo, and radiation. He beat that. Then 2024, Prostate cancer threaten with radiation and now this.
May God bless you both with healing and strength.

vincelinda24 | @vincelinda24 | Oct 1 2:40pm

In reply to @tomrennie "@vincelinda24 do you know the type of liver cancer that your husband has? That can make..." + (show)

@tomrennie
I don’t know the type he has. The biopsy report indicated: Segment 4 liver lesion.
The MRI indicated: T2 hyper intense mass at the central aspect of liver segment 4A.
Is this what you mean. His doctor never mentioned the type of his liver cancer and also don’t know the stage.

Turkey, Volunteer Mentor | @tomrennie | Oct 1 6:12pm

In reply to @vincelinda24 "@tomrennie I don’t know the type he has. The biopsy report indicated: Segment 4 liver lesion...." + (show)

@vincelinda24 No. Not what I am referring to. The most common type of liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma. I am aware of a few other folks that said that their doctors didn't tell them either. But, it is usually listed on the biopsy report. Do you have any type of documentation stating it is cancer and a type? It is a little odd for it not to be written down somewhere especially if a doctor doesn't tell you what type. But, stranger things have happened unfortunately.

elizabethmaltieri | @elizabethmaltieri | Oct 2 11:10am

My brother had y90 treatment to the left lobe of his liver on July 7. At that time his tumor marker number was 3400 (he has advanced HCC with multiple tumors in both lobes.) It took him EIGHT weeks to start feeling well again from all the side effects, and he had them all. At three weeks post treatment his tumor marker was 7,000! Basically they told him the Y90 had not worked and he should go on hospice. However, His latest Tumor marker number was 900! The team has been amazed at his turn around and has now scheduled a second Y90 for the right lobe. So, don’t give up, and don’t believe the information that says side effects should last about two weeks.