[Hepatic tumors and radiotherapy]

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Radiotherapy
• Medical Physics

Background:

• Technological advancements have enabled focused liver radiation therapy.
• Distinguishing between primary and secondary liver tumors is crucial for treatment indications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss focused liver radiation therapy as an alternative to surgical or medical treatments.
• To evaluate stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for liver tumors.

Main Methods:

• Conformal radiation therapy with or without intensity modulation for hepatocellular carcinoma (5-10cm or larger).
• Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) evaluation for primary or secondary tumors (<5cm).
• Accounting for respiratory-induced tumor and liver motion.
• Adhering to strict dosimetric criteria and dose-volume histograms for liver and hollow organs.

Main Results:

• Conformal radiation is used for larger hepatocellular carcinomas.
• SBRT is increasingly proposed as an alternative ablative treatment for smaller tumors.
• Management of respiratory motion is essential for accurate targeting.
• Meeting stringent dose constraints to organs at risk is critical for safety and efficacy.

Conclusions:

• Focused liver radiation therapy, including SBRT, presents viable treatment alternatives for liver malignancies.
• Careful patient selection, motion management, and adherence to dosimetric constraints are paramount for successful outcomes.