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 …