Cancer develops in the cells of the liver. Metastatic cancer, as opposed to liver cancer, refers to
cancer that starts in another part of the body which then spreads to the liver.
Risk Factors & Prevention
Adults over 60 are most likely to get primary liver cancer. Men are more likely than women to develop
liver cancer.
Some of the risk factors of liver cancer are:
Cirrhosis
Obesity
Diabetes
Viral hepatitis
Metabolic diseases
How can it be prevented?
Avoid hepatitis B and C infections / Get vaccinated against Hepatitis B
Limit the use of alcohol and tobacco
Avoid obesity & stay healthy
Treat Inherited diseases
Screening
People having a chance to get cirrhosis must get themselves regularly screened.
Blood tests for alpha-fetoprotein
Ultrasound
CT scan
MRI
Symptoms & Signs
Pain specifically, in the top right corner of the abdomen
Unaccounted-for weight loss
Decreased Appetite
On the right side of the torso, hard bump under the ribs.
Weakness or exhaustion
Jaundice
Diagnosis
Different Types of tests are conducted by doctors for different signs and
symptoms:
Physical examination
Imaging tests
Biomarker testing
Biopsy
Stages
Very early stage: Tumor smaller than 2 cm
Early stage. Tumor: smaller than 5 cm
Intermediate stage: Tumor may be large, or there may be multiple tumors.
Advanced stage: Other organs have been affected by the tumor
Treatment Modalities
a. Surgery
For tumors that are limited to one part of the liver, surgery for liver cancer is typically
the treatment of choice. Like Preoperative portal vein embolization and minimally invasive
procedures. Resection and lobectomy, ALPPS procedure, & Robotic surgery.
b. Liver Transplant
It is a type of surgery where a diseased liver is replaced with a healthy liver from another
person called a donor.
c. Ablation
It is a procedure that involves the killing of cancer cells using heat, microwaves, laser or
radiation therapy.
d. Embolization
It is a procedure that blocks off the blood vessel that sends blood to cancer cells. This
keeps the cancer from growing. Sometimes the embolization procedure is combined with
chemotherapy (chemoembolization) or radiation (radioembolization).
e. Medical Treatment
In order to reach cancer cells throughout the body during therapy, medication may be
injected into the bloodstream (systemic treatment).
Advanced liver cancer is treated with a variety of drugs, including:
Targeted therapy
Immunotherapy
f. Radiation
Radiation therapy for liver cancer uses highly focused, high-energy photons to reduce tumors
and kill malignant cells.
Coping with Treatment
Along with the medical side effects of Liver cancer therapy, patients also deal with the financial
burden of cancer care and the emotional and social impacts. MOC provides facility of psycho
Onco-Counseling and Nutritional counseling to help patients.
Do’s & Don’ts During Treatment
Do’s
Keep the body well hydrated
Maintain optimal weight
Eat small meals
Don’ts
Avoid alcohol & tobacco
Avoid fatty meats
Post-Treatment Support
Post-treatment Liver cancer survivors can go through long-term side effects of treatment, and
long-term and late consequences may follow from physical and emotional changes. Survivors should
talk with people who already have this cancer.
Follow-ups Cancer Care Plan
Post-treatment, one must request a follow-up treatment plan. Doctors provide a personalized treatment
plan based on the type and stage of cancer.
Surveillance and monitoring for Signs & Symptoms
Cancer recurrence is a key concern for cancer survivors, with other health issues. Your treatment
options, should the cancer return at any point, will be determined by the location of the disease,
the previous treatments you underwent, and your general health.
FAQs
Symptoms would liver cancer have?
Fatigue, jaundice (a skin-coloring condition), abdominal pain, easy bruising or bleeding, and
weight loss
Methods of diagnosing Liver Cancer?
Ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, Biopsy
Specialized Doctors at M | O | C
Dr. Vashistha Pankaj Maniar
M.D (Internal Medicine) D.M(Medical Oncology) ECMO (European Society Certification in Medical Oncology)
Speciality-
Medical and Pediatric Hemato-Oncologist.
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