Efficacy and safety of radiotherapy for primary liver cancer

Primary liver cancer includes hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, 75-85%) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (10-15%). The vast majority of patients with primary HCC are not candidates for surgical treatment. Surgical resection, liver transplantation and percutaneous puncture are effective potentially curable treatments for patients with early stage liver cancer. Radiation therapy is a non-surgical alternative treatment that has generally been used to treat patients with advanced liver cancer, although it's use in the potentially curative setting is increasing. Radiotherapy is a non-invasive local treatment which works through ionizing radiation. This review summarizes the efficacy and safety of commonly used radiotherapy methods, and reviews three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT), intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), volume-modulated arc therapy (VMAT), and internal radiation therapies, for primary liver cancer (in particular for HCC).

Automated summary

Primary liver cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, is often not suitable for surgical treatment, but surgical resection, liver transplantation, and radiation therapy are effective options for early-stage cases. Radiation therapy, including techniques like 3DCRT, IMRT, SBRT, VMAT, and internal radiation therapies, is increasingly being used in potentially curative settings for treating advanced liver cancer.