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Review
. 2019 May 15;11(5):367-376.
doi: 10.4251/wjgo.v11.i5.367.

Stereotactic body radiation therapy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: A mini-review

Sabine Gerum  1 , Alexandra D Jensen  2 , Falk Roeder  3
Affiliations
Review

Stereotactic body radiation therapy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: A mini-review

Sabine Gerum et al. World J Gastrointest Oncol. .

Abstract

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is an emerging treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma. This technique results in excellent local control rates with favorable toxicity profile despite being predominantly used in heavily pretreated patients or those unsuitable for other local therapies. SBRT may be used as a sole treatment or in combination with other local therapies as well as a bridging strategy for patient awaiting liver transplants. This brief review describes current practice of SBRT with respect to radiation technique, patient selection and treatment concepts. It summarizes available evidence from retro- and prospective studies evaluating SBRT alone, SBRT in combination with other treatments and SBRT compared to other local treatment approaches.

Keywords: Combination approaches; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Local-ablative treatment; Mini-review; Stereotactic body radiation therapy.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Hepatocellular carcinoma in segment VIII at diagnosis. A: Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) arterial phase; B: Contrast-enhanced CT venous phase; C: Magnetic resonance imaging with liver-specific contrast agent.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Treatment plan (prescription dose 3 × 12.5 Gy to 65% surrounding isodose). A: Isodose plan in axial view; B: Frontal view; C: Sagittal view, broad red line: Planning target volume (PTV), yellow line: PTV-surrounding 65% isodose = 37.5 Gy, light blue line: Internal target volume (ITV), narrow red line: ITV-surrounding 80% isodose = 46.2 Gy, dark blue line: 40% isodose = 23.1 Gy.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Complete response 9 months after transarterial chemoembolization and stereotactic body radiation therapy. A: Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) arterial phase; B: Contrast-enhanced CT venous phase; C: Magnetic resonance imaging with liver-specific contrast agent.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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