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Radiation Therapy for Liver Metastases: Clinical Data

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Radiation Therapy for Liver Tumors

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Abstract

Radiation is highly effective in the treatment of metastases to the liver. Even with the relatively low radiation tolerance of the liver, it is possible to control metastases in the liver by radiation therapy. It is often the third treatment option in line after surgery and thermo-ablation, but there is no randomized trial to justify for this priority. The priority is based on tradition and low level of evidence. Radiation therapy for liver metastases ranges from high precision techniques such as stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) or proton radiotherapy to low-dose whole-liver radiation therapy. In between these are interstitial brachytherapy, conformal radiation therapy and radioembolization. The relevant endpoints range widely. Some asymptomatic patients with liver oligometastases may benefit from improved survival whereas other patients with more extensive involvement of the liver and short survival expectancy may gain only from symptom control when receiving radiation therapy for palliation. Important for all patients is that radiation therapy is associated with a low risk of morbidity and good quality of life. Radiation therapy is an important modality in the multidisciplinary management of patients with liver metastases. It should be considered as a potential treatment option along with—and often in combination with—hepatectomy and thermal ablation and the radiation oncologist should be a regular member of the multidisciplinary liver tumor board.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Danish Center for Particle Therapy, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensen’s Boulevard 99, 8000, Aarhus N, Denmark

    Morten Høyer MD, PhD

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Correspondence to Morten Høyer MD, PhD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA

    Jeffrey Meyer

  2. Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Comprehensive Cancer Center, Aurora, Colorado, USA

    Tracey Schefter

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Høyer, M. (2017). Radiation Therapy for Liver Metastases: Clinical Data. In: Meyer, J., Schefter, T. (eds) Radiation Therapy for Liver Tumors. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-54531-8_18

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-54531-8_18

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