Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Horatio Thomas, Mary Feng
Abstract
Abstract Purpose of Review Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rising cause of mortality and morbidity, and although surgical resection is the preferred curative local therapy, < 30% of patients are candidates at diagnosis. This review discusses SBRT as an option in a variety of clinical scenarios. Recent Findings Multiple retrospective and prospective studies demonstrate that stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is an effective bridge for transplant candidates and local therapy for patients with inoperable early-, intermediate-, or advanced-stage disease. SBRT is associated with excellent local control, and it is well-tolerated despite study cohorts enriched with patients who failed prior therapies and had poor baseline liver function. Summary Additional randomized control trials are needed to determine the ideal treatment regimen and patient selection for SBRT.