Abstract: |
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fastest growing cause of cancer-related death in the United States, and considered an aggressive tumor with mean survival estimated between 6 and 20 months (El-Serag, NEJM 365:1118–1127, 2011). The choice of curative liver resection is limited by the presence of hepatic cirrhosis in 90% of patients, and the most appropriate therapy for HCC has historically been hepatic transplantation with 5-year survival rate of up to 85%. However, only 10% of patients are eligible for surgery (Fortune et al., J Clin Gastroenterol 47:S37–S42, 2013). We discuss functional treatment planning for patients with hepatic cirrhosis and HCC and present an argument in favor of liver SBRT as a viable option. © Springer International Publishing AG. |