Thanks for your query re your dad’s persistent coughing after having had Y90 treatment for liver cancer.
Persistent cough as a condition itself has many causes eg postnasal drip due to allergy and sinus problems or acid reflux irritating the voicebox and throat.
However, in your dad’s case, as Y90 involves the introduction of tiny radioactive spheres into the blood supply of the liver tumour, the persistent cough may be related to the side effects of Y90 therapy, as it may lead to radiation pneumonitis.
This is an inflammatory reaction of the lung itself, which sits just above the liver and hence is vulnerable to the effects of the radioactive Y90 treatment. I recall that a course of steroids, whether taken orally or given through a drip in the patient’s arm, may usually be prescribed to calm down the inflammation and then slowly tapered down in dose.
Other pertinent reasons in your dad’s case would be chest infections or excess fluid accumulating around the lungs. I’m sure his medical team are well aware of the potential chest problems which may arise from Y90.
From the ENT perspective, giving your dad a sea salt alkaline nasal douche (NEILMED saline rinse) to wash out his nose, a nasal steroid spray and an antihistamine such as Aerius, Xyzal or Telfast, may be helpful in treating any underlying allergy or sinus problems which might be exacerbating his cough.
I hope the above info helps. I’m sure your dad is in good hands taken care of by his medical team. Hope he feels better soon.
