Evolving trends in yttrium-90 radioembolization research: a comprehensive bibliometric study.

OBJECTIVE: Yttrium-90 (Y-90) radioembolization has become a key therapeutic option for liver malignancies and is expanding into extrahepatic applications. This study aims to provide a Y-90-focused, field-wide bibliometric map that links global research trends to practice-defining contexts and explicitly contrasts glass versus resin microspheres and primary versus metastatic liver disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Web of Science Core Collection was queried for articles and reviews from 2005 to 12 July 2024. CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and Bibliometrix were employed to visualize annual output, co-authorship and institutional networks, reference co-citation backbones, and keyword clusters and bursts. Studies were narratively classified by microsphere type (glass vs resin) and disease context (hepatocellular carcinoma vs metastatic liver cancers). RESULTS: The study analyzed 2,002 publications, revealing an annual growth rate of 8%. Scientific production and collaboration were concentrated in North America and Western Europe. The co-citation core was dominated by foundational hepatocellular carcinoma outcomes and international recommendations. In sub analyses, glass microsphere literature was clustered with hepatocellular carcinoma, and segmentectomy; resin microsphere literature was concentrated in colorectal liver metastases within randomized or combination regimens. Primary-disease corpora were shown to emphasize survival and transplant pathways, whereas metastatic corpora focused on local control within multimodality care. CONCLUSION: This analysis underscores the significant growth and thematic shifts in Y-90 research, while highlighting gaps such as the need for randomized trials and long-term outcome studies. Addressing these gaps will advance Y-90 radioembolization and enhance patient care through innovation and collaboration.