Radiolabeled Glass Beads in Treating Patients With Metastatic Liver Cancer That Cannot Be Removed by Surgery

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

* Confirmed diagnosis of metastatic intrahepatic carcinoma

  * Histopathology confirmation may be waived in patients with a radiographically identifiable liver mass AND known laboratory or clinical risk factors for cancer or elevated tumor markers such as AFP
* Unresectable disease
* No portal hypertension with portal venous shunt away from the liver
* FDA approval to receive compassionate use of yttrium Y 90 glass microspheres
* No significant extrahepatic disease representing an imminent life-threatening outcome
* No evidence of potential delivery of \> 16.5 mCi (30 Gy absorbed dose) of radiation to the lungs on either of the following:

  * First administration of yttrium Y 90 glass microspheres (TheraSphere ®)
  * Cumulative delivery of radiotherapy to the lungs over multiple treatments

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

* ECOG performance status 0-2
* Life expectancy ≥ 3 months
* Absolute granulocyte count ≥ 1,500/µL
* Platelet count ≥ 25,000/μL
* Creatinine ≤ 2.0 mg/dL (unless using non-iodinated contrast or on dialysis)
* Serum bilirubin ≤ 3.0 mg/dL (in some cases where there is an elevated bilirubin, and the tumor may be isolated from a vascular standpoint, treatment may proceed)
* No contraindication to angiography or selective visceral catheterization, including any of the following:

  * History of severe allergy or intolerance to any contrast media, narcotics, sedatives, or atropine, that cannot be controlled using basic angiographic techniques
  * Bleeding diathesis, not correctable by usual forms of therapy
  * Severe peripheral vascular disease that would preclude catheterization
* No severe liver dysfunction or pulmonary insufficiency
* No active uncontrolled infection
* No significant underlying medical or psychiatric illness
* Not pregnant or nursing
* Negative pregnancy test
* Fertile patients must use effective contraception
* No evidence of any detectable technetium-99 macroaggregated albumin (Tc-99 MAA) flow to the stomach or duodenum after application of established angiographic techniques to stop such flow
* No comorbid disease or condition that would preclude safe delivery of yttrium Y 90 glass microspheres and place patient at undue risk

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

* See Disease Characteristics
* More than 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy
* More than 2 weeks since prior surgery
* At least 2 weeks since prior radiosensitizing chemotherapy
* More than 6 weeks since prior carmustine (BCNU) or mitomycin C
* No other concurrent cancer therapy