Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Liver Metastases

Abstract

In this review, the current state of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is presented as a local therapy for patients with oligometastatic, oligoprogressive and oligorecurrent liver metastases - focusing on recent publications from German-speaking countries. In addition to precise imaging, modern SBRT techniques also use gating and tracking techniques that have made local therapy of liver metastases more effective. In combination with optimisation of central tumour dose, local control rates of up to 90% have been achieved with minimal side effects in less than 1% of patients and 5-year survival rates of more than 30% in selected (inoperable) patient populations. In future, hybrid ultrasound or MRI irradiation systems can overcome fiducial marker implantation. Due to the current outcome data, SBRT is a valuable addition to the therapeutic armamentarium for patients with liver metastases and is a true alternative to minimally invasive ablative procedures or can be used in combination with other local or systemic treatments in an interdisciplinary context.