Role of radiotherapy in cavernous hemangioma liver.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effectiveness of local radiotherapy for controlling cavernous hemangioma of liver.

METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of four diagnosed cases of cavernous hemangiomas of the liver treated with radiotherapy. Hepatic irradiation was given in a tumor dose of 30 Gy in 15 fractions over 3 weeks period.

RESULTS: Three of the four cases showed a complete clinical regression of the liver lesions over a period of 8-14 months, but in one case there was only 75% regression of the mass at 12 months of follow up.

CONCLUSIONS: Localized radiotherapy is effective in the treatment of giant cavernous hemangiomas of the liver and a tumor dose of 30 Gy is optimum with minimal morbidity.