Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a complex and diverse disease, with choice of treatment
dependent on a patient's disease burden, location of disease, underlying liver function,
and performance status. While radiation therapy (RT) was historically omitted from
treatment algorithms, immense technological advances over the past several decades
have enabled introduction of RT as an effective and safe treatment option for patients
with HCC. Growing prospective and retrospective evidence supports the use of RT, particularly
stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), for a wide range of indications in HCC from
locally advanced unresectable disease to bridge therapy for liver transplant candidates.
SBRT is associated with excellent local control, even for patients refractory to or
ineligible for other forms of locoregional therapy. Treatment is well-tolerated and
associated with low rates of severe toxicity. Randomized trials are needed to define
the role of SBRT in HCC treatment relative to other established locoregional treatments.
Keywords
hepatocellular carcinoma - stereotactic body radiotherapy - radiation therapy - review
