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

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Confirmed diagnosis of 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 * No significant extrahepatic disease representing an imminent life-threatening outcome * No evidence of potential delivery of \> 16.5 mCi (30 Gy absorbed dose) radiation to the lungs on either of the following: * First yttrium Y 90 glass microspheres (TheraSphere®) administration * Cumulative delivery of radiation to the lungs over multiple treatments PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Inclusion criteria: * ECOG performance status 0-2 * Absolute granulocyte count ≥ 1,500/μL * Platelet count \> 25,000/μL * Serum 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) * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception Exclusion criteria: * Any of the following contraindications to angiography and selective visceral catheterization: * History of severe allergy or intolerance to any contrast media, narcotics, sedatives, or atropine, that cannot be controlled using basic angiographi…