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Hôpital Cochin – Port-Royal · AP-HP · Université Paris Cité
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RI Home› Y90 Radioembolization Centre (SIRT) — Cochin AP-HP
🏥 Reference centre · Paris 14th

⚛️ Y90 Radioembolization Centre (SIRT) — Cochin AP-HP Paris

TheraSphere® · SIR-Spheres® · Personalized dosimetry · HCC & liver metastases · intra-procedural CT guidance

Quick answer

The Y90 radioembolization centre at Cochin AP-HP is one of the most active in France for this treatment. Radioembolization with Yttrium-90 microspheres delivers targeted internal irradiation directly into liver tumours via the hepatic artery.

Y90 Radioembolization Centre at Cochin AP-HP

The Y90 Radioembolization Centre at Cochin AP-HP is one of the most active centres in France for this treatment. Radioembolization with Yttrium-90 (Y90) microspheres — TheraSphere® or SIR-Spheres® — delivers targeted internal irradiation directly into liver tumours via the arterial route, with maximum sparing of healthy liver tissue. It combines the effects of embolization and targeted radiotherapy.

Our centre performs personalized dosimetry (voxel dosimetry / imaging-based dosimetry using post-MAA SPECT-CT) to optimize the dose delivered to the tumour and minimize side effects. We have state-of-the-art guidance equipment for intra-procedural guidance. All cases are discussed at a hepatic oncology tumour board. 100% covered at Cochin AP-HP.

Indications

  • Unresectable HCC with or without segmental portal vein thrombosis (BCLC stages B and C)
  • HCC for downstaging to transplantation or surgery
  • Unresectable colorectal liver metastases in second line (after FOLFOX/FOLFIRI)
  • Symptomatic neuroendocrine liver metastases
  • Uveal liver metastases and other rare tumours
  • Unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma
  • HCC with portal vein thrombosis — preferred indication over TACE

Our protocol

📋 Pre-treatment work-up

Liver MRI, liver and haematology work-up, assessment of liver function (Child-Pugh, ALBI). CT angiography for vascular mapping and dosimetric planning.

☢️ MAA mapping (D-14)

Injection of Tc99m-labelled macroaggregated albumin to simulate microsphere distribution. 3D SPECT-CT to calculate lung shunting, map intratumoural distribution and personalize the dose.

⚛️ Y90 injection (D0)

Super-selective catheterization of the tumour artery under CT guidance. Injection of Y90 microspheres (TheraSphere® or SIR-Spheres® depending on indication). Duration 1.5–2 hours. 2 hours of monitoring, then discharge home.

📊 Personalized dosimetric follow-up

Post-treatment dosimetry by Bremsstrahlung-SPECT or Y90-PET to verify the delivered dose. MRI at 4–6 weeks (mRECIST). Consolidation decision at the tumour board.

Results

70–80%
HCC objective response
Dosimetry
Personalized voxel-based
CT guidance
High-resolution angio-CT

Frequently asked questions

Does the Cochin Y90 centre treat all types of liver cancer?
The indication is determined at a tumour board meeting based on the tumour type (primary or secondary), liver function and vascular anatomy, assessed during the pre-treatment work-up.
Why are two sessions needed?
The first session (work-up) maps the vascularization and calculates the dose to be delivered; the second delivers the radioactive treatment itself, under safety conditions optimized through this planning.
Is the treatment radioactive for people around the patient?
Yttrium-90 is a pure beta emitter with very short range: radiation protection precautions are minimal and normal daily life with family resumes after discharge.

Related pages

Scientific references

Effectiveness and safety of selective internal radiation therapy using yttrium-90 glass microspheres for hepatocellular carcinoma (PROACTIF)

Guiu B, Bailly C, Vibert E, et al. (incl. Dohan A). EClinicalMedicine 2026;95:103884. French national study, 989 patients, 34 centres.

Life expectancy according to initial treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: a national analysis

Cassinotto C, Dohan A, et al. Diagn Interv Imaging 2022;103(3):125-126.

Why this page is trustworthy

Written by the Interventional Radiology team at Hôpital Cochin AP-HP, Université Paris Cité. Medically reviewed by an interventional radiologist from the department. Last updated: July 2026.

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