Most primary tumors that metastasize to the liver are resistant to radiation therapy, while the healthy liver is highly susceptible to radiation damage. Radiation therapy is often used to treat patients who have tumors of the bile duct or gallbladder. Most radiation therapy for liver cancer is used in conjunction with other forms of treatment like surgery. Sometimes radiation therapy will be administered at the time of surgery and is called Intraoperative Radiation. Radiation may also be used as palliative treatment to shrink tumors and relieve pain.
Radiation is the process of transmitting energy in the form of waves or particles.
Radiation therapy uses radiation in large doses to kill cancer cells and to keep them from growing and spreading. A special doctor called a Radiation Oncologist determines the type of treatment you will receive and supervises the treatment process. A Radiation Physicist will adjust the machine for the correct dosage of radiation to be delivered to the patient. External radiation therapy involves the use of a machine called a linear accelerator that directs x-rays at cancer cells. This type of treatment is usually administered 5 days a week for 2 - 7 weeks depending upon the type of cancer and location.