Radiotherapy

Abstract

In recent years, there has been increased interest in aggressive local therapy for oligometastases, and clinical trials are being conducted across various cancer types. This trend can be attributed not only to advancements in imaging diagnosis and systemic therapy but also to the progress in radiation therapy techniques, such as stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) and intensity-modulated radiation therapy. The results of the randomized phase Ⅱ trial SABR-COMET, which demonstrated the potential improvement in overall survival with targeted radiation therapy to oligometastatic lesions, have garnered significant attention. In 2020, SBRT for oligometastases became eligible for insurance coverage in Japan, leading to increased opportunities for its implementation in routine clinical practice. However, it is worth noting that the standardization of these techniques is still challenging. In this article, we provide an overview of radiation therapy for oligometastases and discuss the challenges associated with its dissemination and standardization.