Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 19, 2026
Treatment of Liver Metastases Using an Internal Target Volume Method for Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy
Published on: May 8, 2018
Retreatment with radiotherapy for symptomatic bone, brain or visceral metastases
R Hernanz1, A Montero, E Fernandez-Lizarbe
1Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Cta. Colmenar Viejo km 9.100, Madrid, Spain.
Background:
The need for reirradiation in the metastatic disease appears when other modalities of treatment lose their efficacy. The aim of reirradiation in the metastatic disease is mainly palliative to control a particular symptom. However, this theoretical benefit must be confronted against the risk of an undesirable toxicity.
Materials And Methods:
Experience with reirradiation for symptomatic bone, brain or visceral metastases are reviewed. Twenty-two patients were found to have a second palliative radiotherapy on the same location. Locatión of metastases were visceral in 5 (23 %) patients, brain in 4 (18 %) patients, spine in 1 (4.5 %) patient and bone metastasis other than spine in 12 (54.5 %) patients. Median dose delivered in the first treatment was 30 Gy (range 20-30 Gy) and 20 Gy for the second treatment (range 6-32.4 Gy).
Results:
A good symptomatic response after first irradiation (complete response or disappearance of >50 % of symptoms) was reached in 21 (95.5 %) of the 22 patients analyzed. After second irradiation, 82 % (18 patients) achieved a good response, 3 (14 %) patients had a moderate response (relief of symptoms <50 %) whereas no response was observed in 1 (4 %) patient. Acute toxicity was limited to grade 1-2 proctitis in 2 and 3 patients after the first and second irradiation, respectively. No cases of late toxicity after the first or second irradiation were recorded.
Conclusion:
A second treatment with palliative radiotherapy is feasible and well tolerated and offers the possibility of symptomatic relief in a high percentage of patients with symptomatic metastases.
