Can radiotherapy finally “go live” in the management of liver metastases?

Abstract

Liver metastases can present synchronously or at different time points. While systemic therapy continues to be the mainstay of treatment for patients with liver metastases, it is unlikely to completely eradicate the disease. Surgical “metastectomy” for patients with limited metastatic burden, particularly from colorectal cancers, has been shown to improve survival. However, owing to medical co-morbidities or tumour location, not all patients are eligible for surgical resection. In recent years, there has been an increase in the use of non-surgical techniques, including high dose radiation using stereotactic body radiotherapy, or brachytherapy, to ablate liver metastases. The purpose of this narrative review is to describe the role of radiotherapy in the management of liver metastases, both for local ablation and symptom palliation. We will elaborate on the techniques used, patient selection process, expected outcomes and toxicities based on the current literature.

Keywords

Radiotherapy / stereotactic body radiotherapy / liver metastases / brachytherapy / palliation

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