About the treatment of liver cancer (liver)

Although relatively rare compared to other types of cancer, liver cancer or hepatoma is a disease that can endanger lives. However, there are several treatments that can be done to treat liver cancer. Usually, the treatment of this disease is determined based on the stage of the liver cancer stage that is experienced. Come on, see the discussion about various treatments that can be taken below.

Various treatment options for liver cancer

After your doctor has diagnosed you with liver cancer, he will help determine the type of treatment that suits your condition and the severity of the disease. Some of the possible treatment options include:

1. Operation

There are several types of surgery that can be done for the treatment of liver cancer or hepatoma, including:

Liver resection surgery

Liver resection is done by removing the cancer and the tissue that protects the liver. Usually, this operation is performed as a treatment for liver cancer if the size of the cancer is still small, the liver is healthy, and the cancer has not yet grown to the blood vessels.

Lobectomy

Lobectomy is done by removing one lobe from the liver. Over time, the lobe will grow back in the liver and the organ will work as before.

However, this can occur as long as the patient does not have other health problems related to the liver, such as cirrhosis. Usually, this operation is done for the treatment of a type of liver cancer called cancer fibrolamellar.

This cancer is a cancer experienced by patients who do not have diseases related to the liver. That way, this operation is classified as one that is quite effective and suitable for these patients.

Laparoscopy

In this operation, the doctor will make several small incisions in the abdomen. Then, a long, thin tube is inserted to see and cut the cancer inside the liver.

Laparoscopic surgery does not require a large incision in the abdomen. This means that there will be only a small amount of blood loss, less severe pain, and faster recovery from treatment for liver cancer.

However, this laparoscopic surgery is still considered experimental and is mainly used for small tumors in certain parts of the liver that can easily be reached through a laparoscope.

Liver transplant

According to Cancer Research UK, liver cancer patients can undergo liver transplant surgery as a treatment for their condition if they have the following conditions:

• The number of tumors in the liver is not more than three with each size of approximately 3 centimeters (cm).
• There was only one tumor which was no more than 5 cm in size.
• There is only one tumor that is between 5-7 cm in size and hasn't grown for about 6 months.

However, if you want to undergo a liver transplant, you have to wait for a donor that matches your liver. Meanwhile, the waiting time for donors is uncertain, so you can get donors in a short period of time. However, it is possible that you have to wait a long time.

In fact, as long as you wait for a suitable liver donor, the tumor in the body may continue to grow. While waiting for a donor, your doctor will usually perform other treatments for your condition.

2. Ablation

Often times, when the cancer stage is still in its early stages, patients do not feel the symptoms of liver cancer. Therefore, it is important to detect your health condition early. That way, the doctor can determine the appropriate type of treatment.

One of the liver cancer treatments that is suitable for patients who are still at an early stage is ablation. This method is done to be a treatment for liver cancer that is done by destroying cancer cells directly. Ablation consists of:

Radiofrequency ablation

This type of ablation is one of the most commonly performed for treatment when the tumor is still small. Using the help of an ultrasound device, the doctor will insert one or more needles through one hole made in the abdominal area.

Then, when the needle reaches the tumor, the doctor destroys the cancer cells using an electric current. However, this method can also be done by heating cancer cells using laser light.

Cryoablation

This treatment for liver cancer uses very cold temperatures to destroy cancer cells. Usually, the doctor will put a device called a cyroprobe which contains liquid nitrogen in tumors found in the liver. The goal, to freeze the tumor and destroy it later.

Ethanol ablation

This treatment method uses alcohol that is given by injection directly into the tumor in the body in order to destroy it.

3. Radiation therapy

One of the treatments that can be done for liver cancer is radiation therapy or it can be called radiotherapy. This treatment uses high-level energy sources such as X-rays and protons to destroy cancer cells and shrink the tumor size.

Usually, radiotherapy is done to treat liver cancer which is still in its early stages. Even so, radiotherapy can also be done for cancer patients who are already at a severe stage to relieve the symptoms they are experiencing.

4. Targeted therapy

If the previous treatment was more specifically for early stage liver cancer, targeted therapy is more effective for cancer that is already at a severe stage. This therapy focuses on abnormalities in cancer cells.

By blocking the growth of cancer cells, this treatment can kill cancer cells in the liver. Cancer cells will usually be tested in the laboratory to determine whether the drugs used in the treatment of liver cancer are working effectively.

5. Immunotherapy

This one treatment is done by using the immune system of liver cancer patients to fight cancer. The problem is, not all immune systems can work properly against cancer cells. This is because cancer cells produce proteins that can blind cells in the immune system.

Therefore, immunotherapy is done so that cancer cells do not succeed in tricking immune system cells into working properly. Usually, this therapy is done to treat liver cancer that is already at a severe stage.

6. Chemotherapy

This one treatment can also help patients kill cancer cells, especially those that grow rapidly in the body. Chemotherapy can be done by injecting chemo drugs into a vein in your arm.

However, chemo drugs can also be given in the form of drugs that must be taken by the patient. Usually, this treatment is performed for patients with liver cancer at a fairly severe stage.

7. Palliative therapy

This liver cancer treatment actually only accompanies other treatments. Palliative therapy is a medical treatment to help reduce pain or reduce the symptoms of serious illnesses.

Usually, the medical professional will work with your family and other doctors treating your condition to provide supportive care to smooth the treatment process for liver cancer. This therapy is carried out in conjunction with other medications or therapies such as surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

By undergoing palliative therapy to accompany other treatments for liver cancer, the likelihood that patients will feel better and live longer will also be higher.

The goal of this therapy is to improve the quality of life of cancer patients, as well as people who treat these liver cancer patients. Usually, palliative therapy will also be offered when the patient is about to or is undergoing treatment for liver cancer.

Healthy lifestyle during liver cancer treatment

Getting treatment for liver cancer is important, but you will speed up the process if you can compensate by making lifestyle changes. Yes, if you still adopt an unhealthy lifestyle, such as smoking and consuming too much alcohol, one of the things you can do right now is to stop.

In addition, start practicing a healthy lifestyle for cancer patients, such as:

1. Take care of your diet

One of the healthy habits that you must start to implement is to pay attention to diet and sort out the food that is consumed. For example, avoid processed foods that are high in chemicals.

The reason is, when you have liver cancer, chemicals and toxins from food become more difficult to remove. Therefore, it is better to eat organic food. In addition, multiply fruits and vegetables that are rich in phytonutrients that can strengthen the immune system.

Not only that, fruits and vegetables also contain many antioxidants that play a role in creating anti-inflammatory pathways and inhibiting tumors from creating their own blood supply, destroying cancer cells, and helping the body in the detoxification process.

By adopting a healthy diet for cancer patients, the process of treating liver cancer may be easier and faster.

2. Avoid smoking and consuming alcohol

Actually, there is no need to wait for liver cancer if you want to do both of these things. The reason is, by quitting smoking or reducing alcohol intake, you are also taking precautions against liver cancer.

Not only that, even though it looks like a simple step, this will have a huge impact on the health of the body. The reason is, smoking and drinking alcohol are also one of the factors causing liver cancer. Therefore, try to be disciplined in doing it.

3. Exercise regularly

Exercise is also a lifestyle that can help you be healthier. In fact, exercise is not only to help treat liver cancer, but it can also help you deal with various other health conditions.

You don't need to do strenuous exercise. The most important thing is to keep your body moving. In addition, there are many choices of light exercise that you can do. If you are not sure what type of exercise to do, ask your doctor.

The doctor will help you choose the type of exercise that may be effective and appropriate in improving the quality of the patient's health.

4. Join a support group (support group)

You are not obliged to follow support group, but if you feel this can help you feel better about undergoing liver cancer treatment, it never hurts to give it a try.

By being surrounded by people with conditions that are not much different, maybe you will be stronger to live and face this disease. Not only that, you can also provide mutual support to people who need it the same.