Stereotactic body radiation therapy for liver metastases and primary liver tumors: treatment results and toxicity.

Abstract

The aim of our research was to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for the liver in all patients diagnosed with either primary liver tumor or metastases from other primary malignancies since its initial application at a single institution. A retrospective analysis of the prospective designed registry included 105 patients with 133 liver metastases or primary tumors treated with SBRT from the introduction of the technique in March 2018 until November 2023. The main objectives of the study were to evaluate treatment toxicity, disease control, and survival rates. At a median follow-up of 24 months, a complete response to treatment was achieved in 86.7% of patients. During irradiation, only one patient experienced grade 3 abdominal discomfort, while the other 34.3% of patients experienced only mild acute adverse events (AEs), the majority of which were nausea. After completion of SBRT, 36.2% of patients reported AEs, but only grade 1 and 2 toxicity was observed. The one-, two-, and five-year LC rates were 89.2%, 84.9%, and 84.9%, respectively. DFS rates were 54.7%, 42.9%, and 25.8%; DSS rates were 94.9%, 81.1%, and 46.8%; and OS rates at one, two, and five years were 93.1%, 79.6%, and 43.2%, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, only the number of lesions presented independent prognostic value. In conclusion, SBRT offers effective disease control and survival rates with minimal toxicity, side by side with surgical options as a curative treatment for liver tumors.