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Cancer treatment device support

TheraSphere™

Understanding your treatment

TheraSphere™ Y-90 Glass Microspheres is the only minimally invasive medical device approved by the FDA for the treatment of Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It’s a proven, radiation-based therapy to shrink tumors and improve patient outcomes.1

Close-up of TheraSphere Y-90 Glass Microspheres

What to expect from TheraSphere

During the treatment, your Interventional Radiologist will make a tiny incision in your upper leg, administering TheraSphere to the liver tumor through a microcatheter. TheraSphere is made up of millions of tiny glass beads—each thinner than a strand of hair, containing radioactive Yttrium-90. Each glass bead delivers a highly concentrated dose of radiation that targets the HCC liver tumor.2


Knowing the side effects

While side effects are minimal for many patients, some may experience a variety of symptoms after a TheraSphere treatment. A typical response is often described as common flu-like symptoms that may last for approximately one week. These symptoms may include mild to moderate fatigue, abdominal discomfort and nausea.


Benefits of Therasphere

The advanced technology of TheraSphere provides three distinct advantages in targeting and treating HCC liver tumors:

Personalization

Your physician calculates the radiation dose based on your unique needs to maximize the tumor’s response to TheraSphere.

Precision

There is minimal impact on surrounding healthy liver tissue because TheraSphere is precisely delivered to the tumor.

Proven

In clinical trials, TheraSphere has been shown to reliably shrink and destroy tumors while being well-tolerated thus optimizing your quality of life.1


Activities and exercises

Everyone is unique and there may be medical reasons for restricting activity. Be sure to discuss with your doctor what level of activity is most appropriate for you following the procedure.

Limit your activities after the angiographies for work-up and TheraSphere treatment to avoid pain or bleeding at the puncture site:

  • No exercise or lifting (more than 10 pounds) for the next 3 days
  • Do not drive for 24 hours after the procedure

Regular follow-up visits

It’s important to maintain all follow-up visits, even if you’re feeling well. During these visits, your doctor will monitor your progress, evaluate your medications, check the status of your overall health and determine the success of your treatment.

We’re here to help

Our patient services team is here to support you throughout your SCS journey.

Available 6 am to 5 pm PT, Monday through Friday

References:                                                    

  1. LEGACY study. Hepatology. 2021
  2. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/liver-cancer/treating/chemotherapy.html