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Initially, the liver cancer symptoms might not be visible at all. The patient will start witnessing some of the symptoms after the liver begins to swell. However, there can be other reasons apart from liver tumor that can cause swelling in the liver. Below mentioned are a few symptoms that you might feel if liver cancer has been detected.
It is advisable that you undergo a diagnosis and let the physician interpret the results.
Several causes contribute towards liver cancer. Some of the causes are listed below.
Liver transplant is a surgical treatment option where the entire liver is replaced by a healthy one through surgery. It is an extensive process and is divided into two types:
In this case, the diseased liver of the patient is replaced with a healthy liver from a donor who has died recently. To avail DDLT, a patient has to go through a number of tests for the doctors to determine if the patient is fit for transplant. Once the tests are through, patients get enrolled in the waiting list for the liver transplant.
In this case, the patient with a diseased liver receives a part of liver from family or a friend. Patient’s damaged liver is replaced with the healthy one, which eventually grows on later to its normal size. It is the preferred transplant option where the patient needs immediate transplantation and a DDLT is not feasible.
This treatment uses high-powered energy from sources such as X-rays and protons to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumours. Doctors carefully direct the energy to the liver, while sparing the surrounding healthy tissue. During external beam radiation therapy treatment, you lie on a table, and a machine directs the energy beams at a precise point on your body.
Liver Cancer Treatment is administered directly to the cancer cells or the area surrounding the cancer cells. Options include:
After a successful liver cancer treatment, you too can live a normal life and resume your daily activities. It is important to follow the directions given by your doctor. Post-treatment, the patient is required to make healthy choices and efforts to stay fit. It will indeed take some time for the patient to recover completely both physically and mentally. Here are a few things that can help the patient in recovering fast.
Max Institute of Cancer Care (MICC) at Max Hospitals, India, is one of the leading facilities in India, which offers the latest treatments under surgical oncology, radiation oncology, and medical oncology. It is one of the largest Cancer Centres in North India, with presence in Saket, Patparganj, Shalimar Bagh, Vaishali, Mohali and Bathinda. It offers high-end treatments like cone-beam CT and ExacTrac.
Diagnostic tests and procedures for liver cancer include:
At Max Institute of Cancer Care, we know that cancer treatment involves multiple specialities (Surgical, medical and radiation oncology, molecular oncology, pathology, radiology, palliative oncology, psycho-oncology, onco rehabilitation, etc.), and the best outcome in any patient can be ensured only if all decisions are taken collectively by all specialists involved.
Therefore, a Tumor Board of such specialists who meet periodically and discuss the best approach to the management of cancer patients is facilitated. It ensures that many heads are planning holistic management of a patient.
Liver cancer is treated by involving complete medical history and physical examination, and diagnostic procedures. A series of physical examinations, medical tests, or both methods can be used as follow-up care by the concerned physician.
For a liver cancer patient, the right treatment is determined based on the age, overall health, medical history, extent of the disease, tolerance of specific medicines, procedures, or therapies, expectations for the course of the disease and the patient’s opinion or preference.
The doctor will also evaluate the side effects of the treatment. Whatever changes you feel in your body post the treatment, let your physician be aware of it, so that a proper follow-up care routine is designed
Liver cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the liver cells and can spread to other body parts.
There are various types of liver cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), hepatoblastoma, and various other relatively uncommonly seen cancers.
Common risk factors for liver cancer include chronic infection with hepatitis B or C, cirrhosis, excessive alcohol consumption, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and exposure to aflatoxins.
Symptoms of liver cancer include abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, jaundice, loss of appetite, and swelling in the abdomen.
Liver cancer is usually diagnosed through imaging tests, such as an ultrasound or CT scan.
Liver cancer is typically staged using the TNM system, which takes into account the size and location of the tumour, as well as whether it has spread to other parts of the body.
Treatment of liver cancer depends on various factors, including the stage of the cancer, the condition of the underlying liver (functional status of the liver) and the patient's overall health and may include surgery, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and ablation techniques.
Surgical options for liver cancer treatment include resection, in which part of the liver is removed, and liver transplantation.
Liver transplantation involves replacing the diseased/damaged liver with a healthy liver from a donor and can be an effective treatment option for early-stage liver cancer.
Non-surgical treatment options for liver cancer include ablation techniques (such as radiofrequency ablation, cryoablation, microwave ablation, transarterial chemoembolization, transarterial radioembolization), radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.
Targeted therapy uses drugs that target specific proteins or genes in cancer cells to stop their growth and spread.
Immunotherapy uses the body's immune system to fight cancer cells and is a newer treatment option for liver cancer.
Cryoablation for liver cancer is a minimally invasive interventional radiologic technique that uses extreme cold temperatures to destroy cancerous tissue in the liver. During the procedure, a thin probe called a cryoprobe is inserted into the liver tumour, and liquid nitrogen or argon gas is circulated through the probe to create an ice ball that freezes and destroys the cancer cells. Cryoablation is often used as an alternative treatment for liver cancer patients who cannot undergo surgery or who have tumours that cannot be treated with other treatment modalities, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
TACE is a type of targeted therapy that involves injecting chemotherapy drugs directly into the blood vessels that supply the tumour, followed by blocking the blood flow to the tumour.
TARE is a type of targeted therapy that involves injecting radioactive particles directly into the blood vessels that supply the tumour, causing the radiation to kill the cancer cells.
Microwave ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that uses microwave energy to destroy cancer cells in the liver.
While it is not always possible to prevent liver cancer, there are several steps you can take to reduce your risk. This includes getting vaccinated against hepatitis B, avoiding exposure to hepatitis C, getting treated for hepatitis B and C as needed, limiting alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing diabetes.
You should aim to eat a diet that is high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein sources and low in saturated fats, red meats, and processed foods. It's also important to limit your intake of alcohol and sugar-sweetened beverages.
Hepatitis B or C virus is a significant risk factor for liver cancer. These viruses can cause ongoing inflammation in the liver, which can lead to the development of liver cancer over time.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a condition where excess fat accumulates in the liver. It is a significant risk factor for liver cancer, particularly in individuals with advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis.
Genetics can play a role in the development of liver cancer, particularly in individuals with a family history of liver cancer or certain genetic mutations. Genetic testing may be recommended for individuals with a family history of liver cancer.
Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a minimally invasive procedure that uses electrical currents to destroy cancerous cells in the liver. It is used to treat liver tumours that are not suitable for surgery or other treatments.
High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a non-invasive treatment that uses high-frequency sound waves to heat and destroy cancer cells in the liver. It is used to treat small liver tumours that are not suitable for surgery or other treatments.
The prognosis for liver cancer depends on several factors, including the stage of cancer, the size of the tumour, whether cancer has spread to other parts of the body, the condition of the underlying liver (functional status of the liver) and the overall health of the patient. The earlier the cancer is detected and treated, the better the prognosis.
The survival rate for liver cancer varies depending on several factors, including the type of liver cancer and the stage of cancer, the size of the tumour, the condition of the underlying liver (functional status of the liver) and the overall health of the patient.
FAQs Reviewed by Dr. Vivek Mangla, Director - Gastrointestinal and Hepatopancreatobiliary (GI & HPB) Surgical Oncology, Cancer Care / Oncology, Surgical Oncology, Gastrointestinal & Hepatobiliary Oncology, Gastro Intestinal & Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgical Oncology, Robotic Surgery on 26-Jun-2023.
Max Healthcare is home to 4800+ eminent doctors in the world, most of whom are pioneers in their respective fields. Additionally, they are renowned for developing innovative and revolutionary clinical procedures.
Max Healthcare is home to 4800+ eminent doctors in the world, most of whom are pioneers in their respective fields. Additionally, they are renowned for developing innovative and revolutionary clinical procedures.
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