Stereotactic body radiation therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma: 2026 expert consensus-based practical recommendation of the Korean Liver Cancer Association
In brief
Korean experts publish practical SBRT guidelines for hepatocellular carcinoma treatment
A multidisciplinary panel from the Korean Liver Cancer Association released consensus recommendations covering patient selection, pretreatment work-up, planning, delivery, toxicity management and follow-up for stereotactic body radiation therapy in HCC, especially when surgery, transplant or ablation are unsuitable. The guidance aims to standardize a curative-intent, non-invasive option, but real-world effectiveness and long-term outcomes remain to be confirmed.
- Journal
- Journal of liver cancer (Q1)
- Published
- 2 September 2026
- Study design
- Unclassified
- Evidence level
- Level 5, Expert Opinion (CEBM 5)
- Authors
- Jinhong Jung, Han Ah Lee, Do Young Kim, Hyun-Cheol Kang, Sun Hyun Bae, Ji Hye Min, et al.
- PMID
- 42681828
- DOI
- 10.17998/jlc.2026.08.22
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Radiation Oncology (paper of the day, 6 September 2026): SBRT consensus for hepatocellular carcinoma
Abstract
Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is a noninvasive, high-precision radiation technique that delivers a high dose to the tumor in a limited number of fractions, typically five or fewer, and is increasingly used as a curative-intent option for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), particularly when surgical resection, liver transplantation, or local ablative therapies are not feasible. Although domestic and international guidelines have incorporated SBRT into the treatment algorithm for HCC, the lack of comprehensive evidence and expert opinion regarding patient selection, pretreatment evaluation, treatment planning and delivery, complication management, and post-treatment follow-up has resulted in substantial variation in clinical practice. Accordingly, an expert consensus-based practical recommendations for SBRT were developed by a group of radiation oncologists, hepatologists, and radiologists from the Research Committee of the Korean Liver Cancer Association, based on expert surveys, a comprehensive review of evidence-based literature, and a modified Delphi process. Encompassing the entire clinical workflow of liver SBRT, these recommendations are intended to provide practical guidance for the safe and effective implementation of SBRT in patients with HCC.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.