What should you know about SBRT for the liver?

Liver SBRT delivers highly focused radiation to a defined liver target while reducing exposure to nearby healthy tissue. It may be considered for selected primary liver tumours or other localised targets when the position, liver function and overall treatment plan make focused radiation appropriate. A specialist team weighs imaging, previous treatment, breathing movement and the health of the remaining liver.

Scans show the target and nearby stomach, bowel, kidneys and spinal structures. Because the liver moves as you breathe, the team may use breath-holding, motion tracking or repeated image guidance. A [Linear Accelerator](/technology/linear-accelerator/) delivers beams from different directions, while the treatment plan shapes the dose around the target. [Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy](/treatments/radiation-oncology/stereotactic-body-radiotherapy/) is usually delivered during carefully scheduled visits rather than as one continuous exposure.

You may notice tiredness, nausea, reduced appetite or discomfort in the upper abdomen. Liver blood tests can change after treatment. The risk of an important liver reaction is influenced by how much healthy liver remains and by previous liver disease or treatment.

Tell the team about hepatitis or other liver disease, alcohol use, diabetes, medicines and prior operations or radiation. Follow instructions about eating, drinking and medicines, and wear comfortable clothing that allows accurate positioning. Keep planned blood tests and scans, even if you feel well. Report new symptoms rather than adjusting prescribed medicine yourself. Your team may coordinate liver SBRT with surgery, ablation, systemic therapy or observation according to the tumour and your health.

Call your treatment team for persistent vomiting, worsening upper-abdominal pain, fever, yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools, unusual bleeding or rapidly increasing swelling. Get emergency help for severe pain, fainting, confusion, vomiting blood or black stools. These symptoms can have several causes, but prompt assessment helps the team check liver function and treat complications early.

Ask what type of liver target is being treated, how breathing motion will be handled, which organs are close to it, and how the team will protect healthy liver. Ask how many visits are expected, which medicines to continue, when blood tests are due, and how scans will show the response.