Chronic Liver Disease and Radiation-induced Second Primary Liver Malignancy

Cancer survivors are at a high risk to develop second primary malignancy (SPM) which constitutes a serious threat for them. Radiotherapy is the cornerstone for the management of many cancers as a locoregional treatment modality. Due to the low liver tolerance, cirrhotic patients are at a high risk of developing radiation-induced liver toxicities despite the modern safe radiation delivery techniques. Radiation damages cells through direct energy deposition and reactive free radical generation. Recent studies demonstrated a potential risk of SPMs following radiotherapy with further investigations for strategies to decrease radiation-induced SPMs. However, it is insufficiently addressed if developing liver SPMs is a serious adverse event following radiotherapy for cirrhotic patients. The aim of this study was to quantitatively assess the risk of gastrointestinal (GI) and liver SPMs following radiotherapy in patients with chronic liver disease.