Procedure
Radiation therapy focuses high-energy X-rays on the tumor inside the body to specifically kill it. It is carried out as an outpatient treatment, is non-invasive (i.e. does not require anesthesia) and can therefore be easily integrated into everyday private life. In the absolute majority of cases, radiotherapy for liver metastases is carried out as body stereotactic radiotherapy (SBRT). Close and personal support is a matter of course for us.
The Department of Radiation Oncology at the USZ uses only the most modern techniques to irradiate liver metastases as precisely as possible and with as few side effects as possible. You will be treated for liver cancer by experienced management physicians.
We work closely with our colleagues in surgery and medical oncology to guarantee treatment from a single source.
For many patients, we are already offering the treatment of tomorrow: in clinical trials, we are continuously working on improving the treatment of liver metastases to make it even more effective and tolerable. To the overview of currently open studies.
Radiotherapy of liver metastases with the aim of local control (ablative radiotherapy)
If liver metastases cannot be operated on, local treatment options such as radiotherapy are used. These aim to kill the tumor cells as completely as possible. Radiotherapy is used in particular when other local therapeutic procedures are not promising or are risky: if the metastasis is located close to large vessels, the main bile ducts or the diaphragm, or if it is larger than 3 cm.
We use body stereotactic radiotherapy (SBRT) for this. This kills the tumor in very few radiation sessions: typically in 5 outpatient radiation sessions. This is achieved by highly focused irradiation with an accuracy in the millimeter range. If possible, this therapy is carried out on our special device, the MRI hybrid accelerator, which combines MRI imaging and radiation. The integrated MRI allows a very Detailed representation of the actual anatomy. The position of the tumor and the surrounding healthy organs can thus be determined with millimeter precision every day and, if necessary, the radiation can be optimally adapted to the current situation immediately. In addition, we can also use MRI technology to determine the Monitor tumor and organ mobility “live” during radiotherapy. Our clinic was the first in Switzerland to introduce this technology back in 2019. We are still the only clinic in German-speaking Switzerland to offer the highest level of expertise in this field.
Body stereotactic radiotherapy (SBRT) is a clinical and scientific focus of our clinic: we pass on our knowledge in a large number of international courses and congresses. We are active as international experts in guideline commissions. State-of-the-art equipment and experienced medical physicists and MTRAs contribute to treatment of optimum quality and safety.
Radiotherapy of liver metastases with the aim of alleviating symptoms (palliative radiotherapy)
If there are numerous or very large metastases in the liver, these can sometimes cause severe pain. Radiotherapy is a highly effective method with few side effects for treating symptoms caused by metastases(palliative radiotherapy). In this case, radiation is administered in a few daily sessions (usually one or two).
We work closely with our colleagues in medical oncology to guarantee treatment “from a single source”. We also consult with our colleagues in palliative medicine at an early stage.