institute for cancer research

Liver Cancer Treatment

Introduction

The plan for liver cancer treatment primarily depends on the extent of the disease, along with a series of other factors.

The main factors which might influence the liver cancer treatment plan include the stage of disease, age, overall health, feeling and personal preferences.

Treatment Options

A series of options are available for liver cancer treatment, including the conventional forms as well as alternative liver cancer treatment options.

Surgery is often considered the best option for liver cancer treatment. The localized resectable cancer often responds well to surgical resection. In most of the cases, the portion of the liver where the cancer is mainly found can be completely removed. However, patients with cirrhosis or only a small amount of healthy liver tissue are advised against such procedures.

Radiofrequency ablation is another effective procedure followed for liver cancer treatment. In this process, electric current in the radiofrequency is used to destroy malignant cells. The radiofrequency ablation is an option for people with small, unresectable hepatocellular tumors and also for some types of metastatic liver cancers.

Chemoembolization, is a type of chemotherapy treatment that supplies strong anti-cancer drugs directly into the liver. This procedure basically helps in shrinking tumors in a certain percentage of people, providing immediate symptom relief and improving survival.

Recently, cryosurgery is also being extensively used for liver cancer treatment along with certain specific options of alternative liver cancer treatment. In cyrotherapy, extreme cold is used to destroy cancer cells. This type of procedure is usually beneficial for people with inoperable primary and metastatic liver cancers.

In addition, radiation therapy is another effective option for the liver cancer treatment. This form of therapy uses high-powered energy beams to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation is generally given from a machine outside the body or from radiation containing materials inserted into the liver.

In some cases, liver transplantation is often considered to be the best option in which the diseased liver is appropriately replaced with a healthy donated organ. This option is very useful for patients with small, early-stage liver tumors and for patients with bile duct tumors.

Alternative Liver Cancer Treatment

There are a number of alternative liver cancer treatment options available for the cure of liver cancer. These mainly include options like herbal dietary supplements and nutritional therapy.

Some of the other effective forms of alternative liver cancer treatment include naturopathic medicine, mind body medicine, physical therapy, spiritual support and image enhancement.

The procedure for liver cancer treatment should ideally be planned in accordance with the patient's particular health status and the body's ability to respond to various types of therapies. 

© 2005 - Cancer Treatment - Prevention - Research - A.P.John Cancer Institute
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