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Liver-Directed Radiotherapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Florence K Keane1, Jennifer Y Wo2, Andrew X Zhu3
1Harvard Radiation Oncology Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass., USA.
Liver Cancer
|August 6, 2016
Summary
Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) offers a safe and effective treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), especially for patients ineligible for surgery or transplantation. This liver-directed radiation therapy provides excellent local control and survival rates.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Radiotherapy
- Hepatobiliary Malignancies
Background:
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence is rising globally.
- Advanced HCC often precludes curative treatments like liver transplantation (OLT) or resection.
- Modern radiotherapy (RT) techniques enable effective liver-directed treatment for primary hepatic malignancies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review external beam RT for HCC, focusing on stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT).
- To discuss SBRT treatment planning and delivery intricacies.
- To summarize data on liver-directed RT efficacy in HCC.
Main Methods:
- Accurate target identification for liver tumors.
- Precise and reproducible patient immobilization techniques.
- Assessment of target and organ motion during treatment.
Main Results:
- Liver-directed RT demonstrates excellent local control rates.
- Published data show favorable survival rates with liver-directed RT.
- SBRT is particularly effective for patients unsuitable for OLT or resection.
Conclusions:
- Modern liver-directed RT, including SBRT, is safe and effective for HCC.
- Accurate planning, immobilization, and motion management are crucial for SBRT success.
- Further prospective studies are needed to define the role of liver-directed RT in HCC management.
