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SIR-Spheres® Y-90 resin microspheres

Potential Side Effects and Complications

Almost all treatments and drugs produce potentially unwanted side effects. Most side effects are minor, making you feel uncomfortable, but a small number can be serious. Everyone reacts differently to treatment.

The most common adverse events after receiving SIR-Spheres Y-90 resin microspheres are:

  • Fever
  • Decreases in hemoglobin and/or platelets in your blood
  • Abnormal liver function tests
  • Abdominal pain
  • Nausea and/or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

If you experience any of these or other unwanted reactions, it is important to tell your doctor right away.

As a precaution, your doctor may prescribe additional medications to control these symptoms.

In rare instances, there is a possibility that microspheres may accidentally reach other organs in the body - such as the pancreas, lungs, stomach, gallbladder or intestine - which can lead to potentially serious adverse events due to high radiation, such as:

  • Acute pancreatitis – causes abdominal pain
  • Radiation pneumonitis – causes excessive non-productive cough
  • Acute gastritis – causes abdominal pain
  • Acute cholecystitis – causes upper abdominal pain and may require gallbladder removal
  • Radioembolization induced liver disease (REILD) – causes abnormal liver symptoms, including ascites (fluid buildup in abdomen) and jaundice (yellow skin, mucus membranes, or eyes), approximately 4 to 8 weeks after treatment

Please consult your doctor to understand these risks in addition to the potential benefits of the treatment.

For more information, please refer to the page “Resources”.

Since you will receive a radioactive treatment, there are some simple precautions that you need to take during the 24 hours following the treatment. However, there is a very limited radiation risk to others due to a minimal distance the radiation travels in the tissues and decay.

Indications for Use: SIR-Spheres Y-90 resin microspheres are indicated for the treatment of unresectable metastatic liver tumors from primary colorectal cancer with adjuvant intrahepatic artery chemotherapy (IHAC) of FUDR (Floxuridine). Consult the Instructions for Use for a complete listing of indications, contraindications, side effects, warnings, and precautions.