In this retrospective analysis we demonstrate that liver SBRT alone or in combination with surgery is safe and effective for the treatment of isolated inoperable hepatic malignancies and provides excellent local control rates.

AIMTo evaluate the control, survival, and hepatic function for Child Pugh (CP)-A patients after Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).METHODSFrom 2009 to 2016, 40 patients with Barcelona Liver Clinic (BCLC) stages 0-B HCC and CP-A cirrhosis completed liver SBRT. The mean prescription dose was 45 Gy (40 to 50 Gy in 4-5 fractions). Local relapse, defined as recurrence within the planning target volume was assessed with intravenous multiphase contrast computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging every 4-6 mo after completion of SBRT. Progression of cirrhosis was evaluated by CP and Model for End Stage Liver Disease scores every 3-4 mo. Toxicities were graded per the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (v4.03). Median follow-up was 24 mo.RESULTSForty-nine HCC lesions among 40 patients were analyzed in this IRB approved retrospective study. Median tumor diameter was 3.5 cm (1.5-8.9 cm). Six patients with tumors ≥ 5 cm completed planned selected transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in combination with SBRT. Eight patients underwent orthotropic live transplant (OLT) with SBRT as a bridging treatment (median time to transplant was 12 mo, range 5 to 23 mo). The Pathologic complete response (PCR) rate in this group was 62.5%. The 2-year in-field local control was 98% (1 failure). Intrahepatic control was 82% and 62% at 1 and 2 years, respectively. Overall survival (OS) was 92% and 60% at 1 and 2 years, with a median survival of 41 mo per Kaplan Meier analysis. At 1 and 2 years, 71% and 61% of patients retained CPA status. Of the patients with intrahepatic failures, 58% developed progressive cirrhosis, compared to 27% with controlled disease (P = 0.06). Survival specific to hepatic failure was 92%, 81%, and 69% at 12, 18, and 24 mo. There was no grade 3 or higher toxicity. On univariate analysis, gross tumor volume (GTV) < 23 cc was associated with freedom from CP progression (P = 0.05), hepatic failure-specific survival (P = 0.02), and trended with OS (P = 0.10).CONCLUSIONSBRT is safe and effective in HCC with early cirrhosis and may extend waiting time for transplant in patients who may not otherwise be immediate candidates.

Gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma on esophagogastroduodenoscopy biopsy. Initial PET-CT showed no definite evidence of distant metastatic disease. One month after radiation treatment, repeat PET-CT showed interval decrease in size of gastroesophageal mass but new multifocal FDG avidity in the caudate and left hepatic lobes. Correlation with contrast-enhanced CT and US images was negative, making metastasis less likely. Ultrasound-guided biopsy confirmed radiation-induced hepatitis, which caused false positively increased FDG uptake from inflammatory changes.

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