Receive internal radiation therapy for hard-to-treat liver cancer

What is this trial?

This trial is testing a procedure called high dose-rate brachytherapy (HDRBT), which delivers focused radiation directly inside the liver to treat cancers that cannot be surgically removed. The treatment is being studied in patients with up to five liver tumors that are either in tricky locations near blood vessels or other sensitive structures, or are difficult to reach with traditional catheter-based approaches. Researchers will compare how well this treatment works in newly enrolled patients against historical records of similar patients who did not receive the treatment.

Many liver cancers cannot be safely removed with surgery because they are located too close to important blood vessels or other vital structures. This trial exists to determine whether the new treatment can effectively control these tumors and improve survival in patients who have limited other options.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are 18 years of age or older
you have been diagnosed with one to five unresectable liver tumors that are at least 3 centimeters in size
your tumors are in difficult locations near blood vessels, the bowel, stomach, diaphragm, or bile ducts
you have adequate blood clotting function and liver function (based on blood tests)
if you are a woman of childbearing age, you are willing to use birth control during the study

You likely don't qualify if…

you have an active infection or uncontrolled illness such as heart failure or lung disease
you are pregnant
you have severe liver disease (Child-Pugh class C)
you have very low platelet counts or severely impaired blood clotting
you have cancer that has spread widely throughout your body (with limited exceptions for symptom relief)

What participation looks like

If you are selected for the treatment group, you will undergo standard diagnostic tests and staging to confirm your diagnosis, then receive the high dose-rate brachytherapy procedure at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. After treatment, you will have follow-up visits at 3-month intervals to monitor your tumor response and overall health. The study will track your tumor control, survival, and how long you remain cancer-free for as long as you participate.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 12, 2026 · Not medical advice

Internal radiation therapy for liver tumors that cannot be surgically removed

What is this trial?

Do you qualify?

What participation looks like

Trial locations(1 site)