Stereotactic body radiotherapy in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most serious complications of liver cirrhosis. Although early diagnosis allows for the use of curative approaches, many patients are not candidates for surgical treatment. In such cases, alternative methods of locoregional therapy gain importance. Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is a specific form of external beam radiotherapy that enables highly precise irradiation of the target lesion with minimal impact on the surrounding tissue, achieving high rates of local disease control. Current EASL guidelines (2025) already include SBRT among recognized therapeutic options for selected patient groups, particularly when ablative techniques or TACE are not feasible. Clinical experience from our institution confirms good tolerability of SBRT and its suitability as a form of consolidative therapy. Although it remains a highly selective method with limited availability, SBRT represents a valuable complement to existing therapeutic modalities, and its role in HCC management is likely to grow in the future.