At Sri Ramakrishna Speciality Hospital, we provide expert care for liver cancer, a condition where abnormal cells grow faster than normal cells anywhere in the liver. The most prevalent type of liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma, which usually occurs in individuals with chronic liver disease and develops within the bile ducts. Additionally, other types of liver cancer include intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and hepatoblastoma.
It is essential to understand that cancer that spreads to the liver is more common than cancer that originates in the liver. When cancer originates in other parts of the body, such as the colon, lung, or breast, and then spreads to the liver, it is called metastatic cancer. Our team of skilled medical professionals is dedicated to providing comprehensive care and support to patients with liver cancer.
What We Treat
At our facility, we provide treatment for various forms of liver cancer, including Primary Malignant Tumors such as
- Hepatocellular Carcinoma,
- Cholangiocarcinoma,
- Gallbladder Cancer,
- Cystadenocarcinoma
We also specialize in managing Secondary Malignant Tumors, such as
- Colorectal Metastatic liver disease,
- Neuroendocrine Tumors,
- All other Metastatic Hepatic diseases.
Our experienced medical professionals are committed to delivering exceptional care to patients with liver cancer.
Symptoms
In the early stages, liver cancer may not exhibit any symptoms. However, if the liver becomes swollen, the following symptoms may become noticeable:
- A lump below the rib cage
- Pain on the right side of the abdomen
- Pain near the right shoulder
- Jaundice, which causes yellowing of the skin and eyes
- Unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Bloating
- Tiredness
- Dark-colored urine
Diagnosis
When a patient is being evaluated for liver health, a number of tests may be performed, which typically include:
• A physical exam
• An ultrasound to visualize the internal organs
• A CT scan to capture precise images of the body’s organs
• Blood tests to assess liver function and blood clotting time
• A liver biopsy, which involves removing a small piece of the liver for analysis to determine liver function by measuring the production of certain enzymes.
Treatment for Liver Cancer
The treatment approach for liver cancer is determined by several factors, such as the stage of cancer and the patient’s overall health
Surgical treatments
- Partial hepatectomy: Involves removing part of the liver.
- Total hepatectomy and liver transplant: Removing the entire liver and replacing it with one from a donor.
Other treatment options include:
- Ablation therapy: This destroys tumors in the liver without removing them.
- Chemotherapy: Using drugs to kill cancer cells or to stop them from multiplying.
- Targeted therapy: Using drugs that target the cancer cells.
- Immunotherapy: Drugs that use the body’s own immune system to kill cancer cells.
- Loco-regional therapy: Injecting radioactive beads into the blood vessel which is feeding the tumor (radioembolization).
If liver cancer is detected in the advanced stages or if the liver is functioning poorly, a different treatment plan may be recommended. This may include liver transplant as an alternative treatment option. In such cases, the primary focus of the treatment may shift towards slowing down the growth of cancerous cells and managing symptoms to enhance the patient’s quality of life.