Image-guided radiotherapy for liver metastases spares healthy liver

Share :
Published: 3 Jun 2011
Views: 6245
Rating:
Save
Prof Morten Hoyer - Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark

Prof Morten Hoyer and his team have developed a method for detecting liver function in 3-dimensional images. These images are produced using 18-fluro-deoxy-galactose as a radiotracer on PET-CT scans and are used to guide stereotactic radiotherapy for liver metastases. This technique allows clinicians to change the intensity of the beam and deliver low doses to healthy tissues while directing higher doses to the tumour. Such targeted radiotherapy reduces damage to healthy liver tissue and was shown to improve five year survival in colorectal cancer patients with liver metastases by 11%.