What is the goal of radiation therapy in treating liver cancer?

Radiation therapy plays an important role in treating liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma, HCC). The primary goals of radiation therapy for liver cancer are:

-Local Tumor Control: The goal of radiation therapy in liver cancer is to target and locally control the primary tumor and any neighboring cancerous lesions within the liver. By delivering precise doses of radiation, the aim is to eradicate cancer cells while sparing healthy surrounding tissue.

-Tumor Downsizing: Radiation therapy can help reduce the size of liver tumors before surgery (neoadjuvant therapy) or enable treatment with other therapies such as liver transplantation or localized therapies (bridging therapy). Shrinking the tumor improves surgical outcomes and facilitates other treatment options.

-Relief of Symptoms: Liver cancer can cause various distressing symptoms, such as pain, bleeding, and obstruction of bile ducts. Radiation therapy can be used to alleviate these symptoms and improve the overall quality of life for the patient.

-Palliative Care: In advanced or unresectable cases, radiation therapy may be used as a palliative measure to slow tumor growth, reduce tumor-related pain, and manage complications of the disease.