Liver Cancer Treatment

The liver among the largest organs in the body that is vulnerable to cancer, similar to the other organs. Located under the ribcage and below the right lung, the liver performs major functions such as converting glucose to glycogen, producing urea, storing vitamins A, D, K and B12, the production of amino acids, and maintaining the appropriate level of glucose in the blood. The liver also filters toxic substances from the blood. About 80% of cholesterol in the body is produced by the liver. With so many important functions, taking good care of it through healthy habits is essential. However, when cancer strikes, the liver may not be able to perform some or all of the functions to the optimum level. Various forms of liver cancer treatment can be administered in order to alleviate the symptoms of the disease.

Cancer that forms in the tissues of the liver is known as primary liver cancer. Secondary cancer is when the cancer spreads to the liver from other parts of the body. Among the most effective treatment for primary liver cancer is surgery. However, this may not be feasible in some cases due to the size of the tumor or the position in which it is placed. Surgery is also considered unsafe in the case of cirrhosis or if the cancer has spread beyond the liver.

Liver transplantation is essential if the liver stops functioning. In these cases, the liver is transplanted from an organ donor with a healthy liver. Apart from cancer, liver transplantation is also carried out in adults with severe cirrhosis.

One of the most powerful drugs used to kill cancer cells is chemotherapy. This involves injecting the drug into the bloodstream, known as systemic treatment. Systemic treatment may not be effective in liver cancer treatment in some cases.

Many cases of liver cancer are treated with the help of radiation. Radiation therapy involves the use of high-powered energy beams to shrink tumors and destroy cancer producing cells. Radiation can be administered from outside the body through an external beam focused on the liver. Another method is the injecting radioactive Yttrium Y90 into the liver. Radiation therapy is often used post-surgery, after the removal of a tumor, in order to destroy any malignant cells that may remain after the surgery. Among the side effects of radiation treatment are nausea and fatigue.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) therapy is another popular choice of treatment among surgeons. The procedure is performed laparascopically or by open examination of the abdomen. Electrical currents are produced in a radiofrequency range to effectively destroy any malignant cells that develop on the liver. With the help of ultrasound or CT scan, small incisisons are made in the abdomen with several thin needles that are heated with an electric current that destroys the malignant cells. RFA therapy is effective for those with small, unresectable hepatocellular and certain types of metastatic liver cancers.

Percutaneous ethanol (alcohol) injection and chemoembolization are other forms of liver cancer treatment. The main objective behind these treatments is to give patients a better chance of survival and quality of life, which is more likely now considering the advances in cancer treatment over the past decade.