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Primary Liver Tumors: Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

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Gastrointestinal Malignancies

Part of the book series: Practical Guides in Radiation Oncology ((PGRO))

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Abstract

The use of radiation in the treatment of primary liver cancers has historically been limited; however, advances in technology and an improved understanding of the dose-volume tolerances of the liver have changed this. External beam radiation, such as stereotactic body radiation therapy, intensity-modulated radiation therapy, and proton therapy can be used to deliver high doses to liver tumors while sparing other organs. Radiation, including external beam and radioembolization with radiopharmaceuticals, can complement other liver-directed therapies. For hepatocellular cancer, radiation can be used with curative intent for isolated lesions as an alternative to excision or as a bridge to orthotopic transplant. Palliative radiation is an alternative to other liver-directed therapies or systemic therapies, including sorafenib and regorafenib. For intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, adjuvant radiation can be used after curative intent surgery or with definitive intent for unresectable tumors. This chapter provides a guide for treatment planning for radiation-containing treatment strategies of primary liver cancers, including hepatocellular cancer and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

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Acknowledgment

The authors would like to thank Dr. Edgar Ben-Josef for his guidance and helpful discussions.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    John P. Plastaras M.D., Ph.D. & Kevin T. Nead M.D., M.Phil.

  2. Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Joshua E. Meyer M.D.

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  1. John P. Plastaras M.D., Ph.D.
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  2. Kevin T. Nead M.D., M.Phil.
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  3. Joshua E. Meyer M.D.
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiation Oncology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA

    Suzanne Russo

  2. Department of Radiation Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, USA

    Sarah Hoffe

  3. Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA

    Edward Kim

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Plastaras, J.P., Nead, K.T., Meyer, J.E. (2018). Primary Liver Tumors: Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma. In: Russo, S., Hoffe, S., Kim, E. (eds) Gastrointestinal Malignancies. Practical Guides in Radiation Oncology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-64900-9_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-64900-9_4

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-64899-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-64900-9

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