3D Conformal Total Liver Radiotherapy for Locally Advanced Hepatocarcinoma: A Case Report

Abstract

Hepatocarcinoma is the third localization of cancer in Senegal (1). More than 90 per cent of cases in Senegal are painfull locally advanced stages (2). Radiation therapy may not be a good option for some patients whose liver has been greatly damaged by diseases such as hepatitis or cirrhosis. Although liver cancer cells are sensitive to radiation, much care is taken when planning the treatment to avoid damaging normal liver tissue. External Beam Radiation therapy (EBRT) can be indicated for: unresectable tumors, bad response after embolization, metastatic disease, thrombus blocking the portal vein and remaining pain after morphinic treatment. EBRT treatments are small doses of radiation given 5 days a week for several weeks in the curative situation or in single dose for palliative option. Newer radiation techniques, such as stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) target liver tumors while reducing the radiation to nearby healthy tissues (3). These new techniques are note available in our institution. We report one case of total liver radiotherapy for hepatocarcinoma done by 3D conformal ( 3DCRT) techniques in Dalal Jamm hospital of Dakar.