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To evaluate the efficacy of intraarterial ⁹⁰yttrium (⁹⁰Y) microspheres in nonresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Patients with nonresectable HCC, but without extrahepatic disease, who also had lung shunting < 15% and tumor-to-normal ratio ≥2, as determined by simulation using ^99mtechnetium macroaggregated albumin, were entered into the study. The radiation dose delivered to the lungs, tumor, and normal liver was estimated by a partition model. ⁹⁰Y microspheres were infused into the hepatic artery at the time of hepatic angiography or through an implanted arterial portacatheter under fluoroscopy. Repeated treatments were given for residual or recurrent tumor. Response to treatment was monitored by serum alpha-fetoprotein or ferritin levels together with serial computed tomography.

Seventy-one patients, including 20 patients with postoperative recurrence …