Radiotherapy and radioembolization for liver metastases

Liver metastases are a common source of cancer-related morbidity. While systemic palliative chemotherapy is an option for patients with significant metastatic disease burden, radiotherapy (RT) is a safe, well-tolerated local treatment that can offer durable tumor control and relief of symptoms. Innovations in RT delivery now allow for treatment of liver metastases in one to five sessions with high local control rates. There is a growing body of Phase I-II data supporting the use of such RT techniques, including stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and radioembolization for the treatment of liver metastases. While there are a variety of local therapies available to patients with liver metastases, RT should be strongly considered in patients with liver metastasis related pain or oligometastatic disease not amenable to surgery. We recommend a multidisciplinary approach when weighing the risks and benefits of the available local treatment modalities for each patient.