Radiotherapy in liver cancer

Radiotherapy uses high-energy ionizing radiation to destroy cancer cells and prevent them from multiplying. In liver cancer, radiotherapy can be used for various purposes:

• Curative treatment: in the early stages, radiotherapy may be used alone or in combination with other therapies (chemotherapy, surgery) to destroy the tumor and offer a chance of cure.
• Palliative treatment: in advanced stages, radiotherapy can help relieve symptoms such as pain, bleeding or compression on neighboring organs, improving the patient's quality of life.
• Adjuvant treatment: after surgery, radiotherapy may be used to destroy remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk of recurrence.

Why choose radiotherapy?

Elytis Oncology and Radiotherapy Hospital is distinguished by a holistic and personalized approach to treatment, giving patients the best chance in the fight against liver cancer. Here are some reasons to choose Elytis:

• State-of-the-art technology: Elytis has high-performance linear accelerators and advanced radiotherapy techniques such as IMRT, VMAT, SBRT, brachytherapy, ensuring maximum precision and increased protection of healthy tissue.
• Multidisciplinary team: La Elytis , radiation therapy specialists work closely with oncologists, surgeons, imaging specialists and other medical professionals to develop personalized and integrated treatment plans tailored to each patient's needs.
• 3D and 4D planning: Before treatment begins, a 3D or 4D virtual simulation of the area to be treated is performed using advanced imaging (CT, MRI, PET-CT), allowing a precise contouring of the tumor and critical organs, ensuring targeted irradiation and minimizing side effects.
• Continuous monitoring: During the course of treatment, patients receive close monitoring of their health and response to therapy. The medical team is available to answer questions and provide support, ensuring patient comfort and safety.
• Care and support: Elytis offers not only high-quality treatment, but also emotional support and medical education. Patients are informed about the therapeutic process, possible side-effects and how to manage them, so that they feel confident and supported throughout their treatment.

Types of radiotherapy available

• IMRT (Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy): allows the intensity of the radiation beam to be modulated, adapting it to the shape of the tumor and protecting surrounding healthy tissue.
• VMAT (Volumetric Modulated Array Modulated Radiation Therapy): provides precise and fast irradiation with optimal radiation dose distribution, reducing the duration of treatment sessions.
• SBRT/SRS (Stereotactic Stereotaxis): uses high doses of radiation, delivered with extreme precision, to treat small tumors and localized metastases.
• Brachytherapy: involves placing radioactive sources in or near the tumor, allowing localized irradiation and a higher dose to the tumor tissue.

Palliative radiotherapy

In advanced liver cancer, Elytis Oncology and Radiotherapy Hospital offers palliative radiotherapy services to relieve symptoms and improve patients' quality of life. Palliative radiotherapy can help to:

• Pain relief: Irradiation of the affected area can reduce the pain caused by the liver tumor or bone metastases.
• Bleeding control: radiotherapy can stop or reduce bleeding caused by the liver tumor.
• Relieving compression: irradiation can reduce the size of the tumor, relieving compression on neighboring organs such as the stomach or intestines.
• Improve liver function: in some cases, radiotherapy can help improve liver function, reducing the symptoms associated with liver failure.

Elytis Hospital for Oncology and Radiotherapy: more than a treatment

At Elytis Oncology and Radiotherapy Hospitalradiotherapy is more than just treatment. The medical team is dedicated to providing comprehensive and personalized care based on empathy, state-of-the-art technology and interdisciplinary collaboration. Patients benefit from:

• Counseling and support: the medical team provides comprehensive information about the disease, treatment and possible side effects, answering all questions and offering emotional support throughout the therapeutic process.
• Medical education: patients are educated on the importance of a healthy lifestyle, a balanced diet and management of side effects for an easier recovery.
• Post-treatment follow-up: after completion of radiotherapy, patients benefit from close follow-up with regular assessments to monitor response to treatment and manage possible complications.

Elytis Oncology and Radiotherapy Hospital is a medical center of excellence in the treatment of liver cancer, offering a full range of radiotherapy services tailored to the individual needs of each patient. Through state-of-the-art technology, medical expertise and a patient-centered approach, Elytis gives you the best chance in the fight against cancer.

Latest medical review:

13.02.2025, Dr. Ionel Daniel Cojocaru - Medical Specialist

References:

• Brock, Kristy K. "Imaging and Image-Guided Radiation Therapy in Liver Cancer". Seminars in Radiation Oncology, 2011, vol. 21, no. 4, pg. 247 - 255.
• Chen, W., et al. "Efficacy and safety of radiotherapy for primary liver cancer". Chinese Clinical Oncology, 2020.
• Fukumitsu, Nobuyoshi, Nobuyoshi (dr.), Okumura, Toshiyuki (dr.), Sakurai, Hideyuki (dr.), "Radiotherapy for liver cancer". Journal of General and Family Medicine, vol. 18, no. 3, pg. 126 - 130.
• Høyer, Morten, et. al."Radiotherapy for Liver Metastases: A Review of Evidence". International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics, 2012, vol. 82, no. 3, pg. 1047 - 1057.
• Tao, Chad, Yang, Li-Xi. "Improved Radiotherapy for Primary and Secondary Liver Cancer: Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy". Anticancer Research, 2012, vol. 32, no. 2, pg. 649 - 655.
• Witt, Jacob S., et. al."MRI-guided adaptive radiotherapy for liver tumors: visualizing the future". The Lancet Oncology, 2020, vol. 21, no. 2.
• Wulf, Joern, et. al."Stereotactic radiotherapy of primary liver cancer and hepatic metastases". Acta Oncologica, 2006, vol. 45, no. 7.