# Radioembolisation (TARE / SIRT, yttrium-90)

Source: https://onco.cc/technologies/radioembolisation-tare/  
OnCo record `radioembolisation-tare` (Technology). Data CC BY-NC 4.0, attribute "Data from OnCo (onco.cc)"; commercial use needs a licence.

## TL;DR

Millions of tiny radioactive glass or resin beads are injected into the liver artery, lodging in the tumour and irradiating it from within.

## Summary

Yttrium-90 microspheres (TheraSphere glass, SIR-Spheres resin) deliver beta radiation to hepatic tumours. Randomised trials versus sorafenib in advanced HCC (SARAH, SIRveNIB) were negative for OS but showed better tolerability and response; personalised dosimetry (DOSISPHERE-01) and radiation segmentectomy (LEGACY) established curative-intent use in early-stage disease. Standard alternative to TACE and a bridge or downstaging tool to transplant.

## Fields

- Kind: Technology
- Status: established
- Last checked: 2026-09-07
- Principle: Arterial delivery of 20-60 µm microspheres carrying 90Y (beta emitter, 2.5 mm mean path, 64 h half-life); dose planned from 99mTc-MAA mapping and lung shunt fraction.
- Since: 2002
- Strengths: Outpatient, single session; Effective in portal vein thrombosis where TACE is contraindicated; Radiation segmentectomy can be curative for small tumours
- Limitations: Radioembolisation-induced liver disease; Failed to beat sorafenib on OS in advanced disease; Lung shunting excludes some patients

## Sources

- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selective_internal_radiation_therapy
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selective_internal_radiation_therapy

## Connected records

- cancers: [Advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (BCLC C)](https://onco.cc/cancers/hcc-advanced/), [Biliary tract cancer (cholangiocarcinoma)](https://onco.cc/cancers/cholangiocarcinoma/), [Colorectal cancer](https://onco.cc/cancers/colorectal/), [Early hepatocellular carcinoma (BCLC 0 and A)](https://onco.cc/cancers/hcc-early/), [Hepatocellular carcinoma](https://onco.cc/cancers/hcc/), [Intermediate hepatocellular carcinoma (BCLC B)](https://onco.cc/cancers/hcc-intermediate/), [Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma](https://onco.cc/cancers/intrahepatic-cholangiocarcinoma/), [Neuroendocrine tumours](https://onco.cc/cancers/neuroendocrine/), [Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours](https://onco.cc/cancers/pancreatic-net/), [Small intestinal neuroendocrine tumours](https://onco.cc/cancers/small-intestinal-net/), [Uveal melanoma](https://onco.cc/cancers/uveal-melanoma/)
- fronts: [Radiation Therapy](https://onco.cc/fronts/radiation/), [Radiopharmaceuticals & Theranostics](https://onco.cc/fronts/radiopharma/)
- technologies: [Percutaneous hepatic perfusion (chemosaturation)](https://onco.cc/technologies/percutaneous-hepatic-perfusion/), [Radioligand therapy (beta emitters)](https://onco.cc/technologies/radioligand-therapy/), [SPECT & bone scan](https://onco.cc/technologies/spect/)
- companies: [Boston Scientific](https://onco.cc/companies/boston-scientific/), [Sirtex Medical](https://onco.cc/companies/sirtex/)
- terms: [Dosimetry](https://onco.cc/terms/dosimetry/)
- trials: [SARAH and SIRveNIB](https://onco.cc/trials/sarah-sirvenib/)
- ideas: [Reprogramme the liver's own immune cells to refuse metastases](https://onco.cc/ideas/idea-bio2-liver-niche-kupffer-reprogramming/)
- pathways: [Organ tropism: seed and soil](https://onco.cc/pathways/organ-tropism-seed-soil/)
- roadmaps: [Surgery roadmap: radical operations → less surgery → no surgery when a drug has done the work](https://onco.cc/roadmaps/surgery-roadmap/)

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