Liver Cancer Treatments And Drugs

There are several forms of liver cancer treatment. However, treatment varies according to the age and severity of the case. The goal of any cancer treatment is to control and finally eliminate the cancer. While elimination may not be possible in some cases, some forms of treatment focus on preventing the growth and spread of the tumor. Palliative care is essential in order to make a patient feel as comfortable as possible.

Thanks to advancements in cancer research, techniques such as cryoablation are increasingly used in the treatment of liver cancer. A cryoprobe, which is an instrument filled with liquid nitrogen, is placed on the liver tumor. The liquid nitrogen freezes and destroys cancer cells. Doctors use ultrasound images to guide the cryoprobe and monitor freezing of the cells.

Surgical removal of a portion of the liver, known as partial hepatectomy, may be recommended in some cases, by the doctor. For smaller tumors, removal of a small portion of healthy tissue surrounding the liver tumor is also carried out as a precaution. A diseased liver can also be replaced with a healthy liver from a donor. Liver transplant surgery is also recommended for those with cirrhosis.

Chemoembolization involves the injecting of strong anti-cancer drugs into the liver. Liver cancer cells get their supply of oxygen from the blood that flows through the hepatic artery. This artery is blocked during this procedure, while anti-cancer drugs are injected between the liver and the blocked artery, thereby destroying any malignant cells.

Injecting pure alcohol directly into the tumor also dries out cancer cells, destroying them in the process. Depending on the condition of the tumor, alcohol injection treatment may be completed in a single session or require a series of sessions to eliminate cancer cells. A single injection is administered in each session.

One of the most popular forms of liver cancer treatment is radiation therapy, where high-powered energy beams are directed to the liver tumor, destroying cancer cells, and shrinking any tumor. Vomiting and fatigue are side effects normally associated with radiation therapy.

Radiofrequency ablation is used in the treatment of liver cancer. Small incisions are made on the abdomen with several thin needles through which electric current are passed. The heat produced destroys the cancer cells.

The FDA approved target drug, Sorafenib, has shown promising results in slowing or stopping liver cancer cells from progressing. The drug is administered orally in tablet form. The common side effects of Sorafenib are diarrhea, fatigue, skin rash, and thinning of the hair.

Alternative forms of treatment include acupressure and acupuncture, among others. While these cannot be prescribed as a complete cure for cancer, they do help people cope with pain, the side effects of various treatments, and other emotional factors associated with the disease. While advancements in cancer research has raised the hopes of millions of cancer patients, joining a support group is the ideal way to channelize emotions, learn more about the disease and latest treatment options, and carry on with a better quality of life.