Liver cancer treatment

Primary liver cancer is cancer that forms in tissues of the liver. Secondary liver cancer is cancer that spreads to the liver from another part of the body. The only real cure for cancer to the liver is an organ transplantation, "says Zuckerman, an associate professor at the UC and Interventional Radiologist.But this procedure allows us to stabilize the patient's condition by checking the growth of cancer and tumor shrinkage. Then we can deal with it surgically, or as a stand-alone therapy for patients who are not good candidates for surgery. "

Liver cancer treatment

Surgery: is the most effective treatment for primary liver cancer, but this is not always possible due to the size or location of the tumor. In addition, you cannot operate if the tumor has spread beyond the liver. If the liver is severely damaged from cirrhosis cannot be sure of surgery.

Injection of alcohol: In this procedure, pure alcohol is injected directly into tumors, both through the skin or during an operation. Alcohol dries tumor cells, and finally the nut of cells. Each treatment consists of an injection, although we recommend a series of injections for the best results. Injection of alcohol has been shown to improve survival in people with small hepatocellular cancer. Can also be used to help reduce symptoms in cases of metastatic liver cancer. The most common side effect is liver alcohol spill on or into the abdominal cavity.

Liver transplantation: liver transplantation is a surgical procedure to remove a diseased liver and replace it with a healthy liver from a donor of organs. A liver transplant is required when the disease makes the job of the liver. The most common reason for liver transplantation in adults is cirrhosis, a disease in which healthy liver cells are killed and replaced with scar tissue.

Radiofrequency ablation: In this procedure, electric current frequency range is used to destroy malignant cells. Using an ultrasound or CT as a guide, the surgeon inserts fine needles into several small incisions in your abdomen. When the needle reaches the tumor, are heated by an electric current, destroying the malignant cells. Radiofrequency ablation is an option for people with small hepatocellular unresectable cancers, and for some types of metastatic liver tumors. Although the procedure has a slightly higher risk of serious complications from injection of alcohol, seems to provide better results.

Chemoembolization: Chemoembolization is more advantageous for patients in whom the disease is limited to the liver. Some successes have been demonstrated with patients whose cancer has spread to other areas. The blood of patients with kidney disease, blood clotting problems, or allergies to contrast agents are not good candidates for this procedure.

Radiation: this treatment uses beams of high energy power to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may come from a machine outside of your body or

materials containing radiation inserted in your liver. Radiation can be used on its own to treat localized unresectable cancer. Or you can have radiation therapy after surgical removal of a tumour to help destroy any remaining malignant cells. Radiation side effects may include fatigue, nausea and vomiting.

Chemotherapy: this treatment uses powerful drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be systemic — that means it travels throughout the body in your bloodstream — or regional.

Systemic chemotherapy is generally not effective in the treatment of liver cancer, but may be a treatment option in certain cases.