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Transarterial Chemoembolization Plus External Beam Radiotherapy

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Radiotherapy of Liver Cancer

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Abstract

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the most commonly performed therapy for inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, after initial success with TACE, treated tumors can be revascularized and retreated. When repeated many times, TACE often loses its efficacy and patients enter the state of TACE failure/refractoriness. Radiotherapy (RT) has been investigated as a component of combined treatment to compensate for the limitations of TACE. Recently, advancements in RT have enabled high-dose RT to be directed to the tumor while sparing the non-tumor-bearing surrounding liver parenchyma from these high doses. With the advancements in RT, considerable evidence indicates that there is a significant therapeutic benefit of TACE plus RT for unresectable HCC compared with TACE alone. Moreover, TACE plus RT has been used in various clinical situations such as tumors with portal vein tumor thrombosis. Optimal radiation technique, radiation dose, and optimal interval between TACE and RT needs to be clarified through further studies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiation Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea

    Woong Sub Koom & Hwa Kyung Byun

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  1. Woong Sub Koom
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  2. Hwa Kyung Byun
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Correspondence to Woong Sub Koom .

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  1. Department of Radiation Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea (Republic of)

    Jinsil Seong

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Koom, W.S., Byun, H.K. (2021). Transarterial Chemoembolization Plus External Beam Radiotherapy. In: Seong, J. (eds) Radiotherapy of Liver Cancer. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-1815-4_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-1815-4_13

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  • Online ISBN: 978-981-16-1815-4

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