Dr. Hong on High-Dose Hypofractionated Proton Beam Therapy for Liver Cancer

Theodore S. Hong, MD, director, Gastrointestinal Service, Department of Radiation Oncology, discusses high-dose hypofractionated proton beam therapy for unresectable primary liver cancers.

Numerous liver-directed therapies have emerged for patients with unresectable liver cancer, and among those, radiation therapy has shown promising results in ablating tumors that may exceed the size criteria for other, more invasive techniques.

Unlike conventional X-rays used in stereotactic radiation therapy, Hong says protons allow for a higher dose of radiation to be administered to a liver tumor while still protecting the normal liver.

Hong adds that this therapy is especially important for primary liver cancers because many patients have significant underlying liver dysfunctions, such as hepatitis C, hepatitis B, or alcoholic cirrhosis.

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