Cyberknife stereotactic body radiation therapy for nonresectable tumors of the liver: Preliminary Results

Purpose. Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) has emerged as a treatment option for local tumor control of primary and secondary malignancies of the liver. We report on our updated experience with SBRT in patients with non-resectable tumors of the liver. Methods. Our first 17 consecutive patients (mean age 58.1 years) receiving SBRT for HCC (n=6), IHC (n=3), and LM (n=8) are presented. Mean radiation dose was 34Gy delivered over 1-3 fractions. Results. Treated patients had a mean decrease in maximum pretreatment tumor diameter from 6.9±4.6 cm to 5.0±2.1 cm at three months after treatment (P<.05). The mean total tumor volume reduction was 44% at six months (P<.05). 82% of all patients (14/17) achieved local control with a median follow-up of 8 months. 100% of patients with HCC (n=6) achieved local control. Patients with surgically placed fiducial markers had no complications related to marker placement. Conclusion. Our preliminary results showed that SBRT is a safe and effective local treatment modality in selected patients with liver malignancies with minimal adverse events. Further studies are needed to define its role in the management of these malignancies.