SBRT in Localized Renal Carcinoma: A Review of the Literature

Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) allows high doses of radiation to be administered in a limited number of fractions. The high doses per session might allow the theoretical radioresistance of renal carcinoma to be overcome. SBRT may be a therapeutic alternative in inoperable patients with localized renal carcinoma. This review studied the available literature on the use of SBRT in inoperable localized renal carcinoma. The review including data from English-language studies was conducted in PubMed and MEDLINE between January 2010 and December 2020. Articles were included with data from patients with renal carcinoma treated with SBRT, their indications, simulation, dose and fractionation, local control, survival and side effects, comparison with other treatments, response assessment and radioimmunotherapy. The articles included were evaluated for content and validation. The immobilization systems were variable between studies. Doses and fractions were variable from 25-26 Gy in single fractions to 21-48 Gy in 3-5 fractions, with local control being around 90% with a low rate of side-effects. We review the state of the art in SBRT for renal cell carcinoma. More research is needed to determine optimal doses and fractionation, and to develop a reliable response assessment tool. The role of radioimmunotherapy in renal carcinoma is being studied.