Cavernous haemangioma of the liver: the role of radiotherapy

Abstract

Two cases of massive cavernous haemangioma of the liver causing symptoms, and treated successfully by irradiation, are reported. The character of these tumours, their pathology, symptomatology and diagnosis are reviewed. Treatment of these tumours is either surgical or radiotherapeutic. The radiotherapeutic failures are briefly reviewed; they represent a minority of the total reported cases treated by irradiation. Radiotherapy is advocated as the treatment of choice in massive sessile haemangiomas. A tumour dose of 2,000 to 3,000 R in three to four weeks is recommended. If three or four months later no response to irradiation is evident an additional tumour dose of 1,000 to 1,500 R in 10 to 15 days may be added. If it fails to relieve the symptoms surgery should be resorted to.