Gastrointestinal Complications from Yttrium-90 Treatment
Author Information
Author(s): Christopher D South, Marty M Meyer, Gregory Meis, Edward Y Kim, Fred B Thomas, Ali A Rikabi, Hooman Khabiri, Mark Bloomston
Primary Institution: The Ohio State University Medical Center
Hypothesis
What is the frequency and severity of gastrointestinal complications following yttrium-90 microsphere therapy?
Conclusion
Gastrointestinal ulceration is a known yet rarely reported complication of yttrium-90 microsphere embolization with potentially life-threatening consequences.
Supporting Evidence
- Three of twenty-seven patients presented with endoscopically confirmed gastrointestinal ulceration.
- The median follow-up from time of RT was 6 months.
- All three patients presented with abdominal pain and nausea.
Takeaway
Some patients who receive a special treatment for liver cancer can get painful stomach ulcers, which can be very serious.
Methodology
Charts of patients who underwent radioembolotherapy were reviewed to determine the incidence and severity of gastrointestinal ulceration.
Limitations
The study may underestimate the true incidence of gastrointestinal ulceration due to non-specific abdominal complaints.
Participant Demographics
Patients with primary or secondary hepatic malignancies treated at a large academic institution.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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