Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy Produces Strong Results In Large Tumors, Study Finds

Patients who are diagnosed with a form of liver cancer may find a slightly more aggressive form of radiation provides them better treatment results. A recent study has found that higher dose radiation, delivered over a shorter period of time may offer more promising outcomes than another common form of radiation.

When large hepatocellular carcinoma lesions are diagnosed, radiation is a common course of treatment. While both stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and traditional radiofrequency ablation can produce strong results, researchers are finding that SBRT tends to do better in controlling localized progression when larger tumors are found.

Hepatocellular carcinoma is a form of cancer that is found in the liver. It is associated with chronic liver disease and cirrhosis. It is considered the third leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, but isn’t as prominent in the United States. It is diagnosed in large numbers in Africa and Asia where a high prevalence of hepatitis is also found.

To better understand what treatments produced the most promising results considering the growing number of hepatocellular cases, researchers recently dove into data related to both forms of treatment. The retrospective study showed that SBRT was able to outperform radiofrequency ablation in tumors that were larger than 2 cm. Tumors treated with radiofrequency ablation had an 83.6 percent and 80.2 percent 1- and 2-year freedom from local progression rate. Tumors treated with SBRT, however, had 97.4 percent and 83.8 percent freedom from progression rates at the 1 and 2 year marks respectively.

SBRT is designed to be slightly different than standard radiation. While conventional radiation is given in small doses over the course or many weeks, patients who undergo SBRT are given greater combined doses of radiation over a shorter period of time. This form of radiation is also designed to be highly accurate and precise because of the higher dose delivery. SBRT has shown strong results in treating a variety of cancers. Researchers have also found, for example, that SBRT is quite useful in treating lung cancer patients who have small tumors, localized larger tumors and cases where multiple tumors are found in the body.

Patients who are diagnosed with large hepatocellular carcinoma are urged to consult with their physicians for all treatment options. SBRT may not be recommended in all cases. Other forms of treatment may be better advised. The best advice for treating this form of cancer – and all others – will come from the physicians overseeing a patient’s unique case.

North Texas Cancer Center at Wise, a division of Choice Cancer Care, is now operating as the Cancer Center at Wise Regional and is one of the most renowned cancer treatment centers in Texas.

a href=http://northtexascancercenteratwise.com/about-usNorth Texas Cancer Center at Wise, a division of Choice Cancer Care, is now operating as the Cancer Center at Wise Regional and is one of the most renowned cancer treatment centers in Texas