Examining the use of abdominal compression in stereotactic body radiotherapy for liver metastases – a single center’s experience of 10 years

INTRODUCTION: Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) with abdominal compression (AC) stands out due to the high tolerance and ease of application in the treatment of liver metastases. The present study aimed to report the safety and efficacy of the AC technique with 10-year follow-up outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was made of patients in the database who had liver metastases, who did not undergo surgery or any other ablative approach for metastases, and who underwent SBRT with AC. In-field local control (ifLC) and toxicity were evaluated as primary endpoints. RESULTS: The study examined 79 patients who underwent SBRT with AC between 2012 and 2021. Colorectal adenocarcinoma was the most common type of primary tumor (n = 32, 40.5%). The median follow-up was 14 (4–73) months. After treatment, one-year ifLC was 46.4%, six-month ifLC was 76%, one-year out-field local control (ofLC) was 13.6%, and six-month ofLC was 25%. According to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events Version 5.0, only 8 patients had low-grade acute gastrointestinal toxicity, and no patients had late toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: SBRT with AC is a well-tolerated and effective treatment modality for patients with liver metastases.