Introduction:
Liver cancer is a broad terminology for various cancers that occur in the liver. The cause of each variety of liver cancer is multifold
For example, the primary hepatocellular carcinoma or HCC is usually in a diseased liver background. The liver could be diseased due to Diabetes/Metabolic syndrome induced by steatohepatitis (Fatty changes with inflammation in the liver), alcohol, hepatitis B or C, or various other reasons.
Types:
Hepatocellular carcinoma
Cholangiocarcinoma
Metastasis: Colorectal metastases, Neuroendocrine tumour metastases, Metastases from cancers of the breast, oesophagus, lungs, and other organs
Diagnosis:
Good imaging: PETCT scan, MRI/MRCP
Blood tests, Serum AFP, CA19-9, CEA
Treatment:
Single: Surgery/ Ablation/ Embolization
Multiple: Embolization/ Chemotherapy/ Surgery if limited to one lobe
Oligo (1-2 tumours): Ablation/ Surgery/ Embolization
Localised treatment is either preceded or followed by systemic treatment in the form of Chemotherapy, Immunotherapy, targeted therapy/biological
The order of the treatment is best chosen after a discussion with all the cancer specialists in the panel
Follow up:
PET CT scan after 3 months after completion of treatment or earlier based on the clinical scenario
Further tumor markers and clinical examination followed by scans will be performed every 3-6 months
Regular follow up and timely intervention is important
Videos:
Liver resection
Microwave ablation
Embolization
Comments