Liver Cancer Surgery India | Symptoms,Treatments, and Risks

What is Liver Cancer?

Liver cancer, which is also called hepatic cancer starts in the liver, and not from altogether another organ which migrates to the liver. Like all cancers, liver cancer can also be attributed to the uncharacteristic rise in cell reproduction.

Types of Liver Cancer:

There are several types of liver cancer based on the type of cells which become cancerous

• Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer which occurs in people with chronic liver diseases such as cirrhosis caused by hepatitis B or C infection.
• Fibrolamellar HCC is a rare type of HCC which is typically more responsive treatment than other types of liver cancer.
• Angiosarcoma also called as hemangiocarcinoma accounts for one percent of all the liver cancers. It begins in the blood vessels of the liver and grows quickly. Typically they are diagnosed at an advanced stage.
• Cholangiocarcinoma or bile duct cancer which occurs in the small, tube-like bile ducts within the liver carrying bile to the gallbladder. This accounts for 10-20 percent of all the liver cancers. The intrahepatic bile duct cancer start in the ducts within the liver while extrahepatic bile duct cancer develops in the ducts outside the liver.
• Secondary liver cancer also known as liver metastasis develops when the primary cancer from another part of the body spreads to the liver. Most liver metastasis originates from colorectal cancer.

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Risk factors of Liver Cancer:

Few of the most common risk factors listed by cancer hospitals are::

• Infections: Long term infection with hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus is linked with liver cancer

• Cirrhosis: Scarring of the liver causes problem in the normal functioning of the liver in turn increasing the risk of liver cancer. Cirrhosis is caused either by heavy drinking or infection with a virus like hepatitis B or C

• Alcohol: More than 5 units of alcohol per day can result in cirrhosis and increase the cancer risk

• Non- alcoholic fatty liver’s disease: Excessive fat deposition in the liver due to obesity or diabetes causes damage to normal cells (hepatocytes) of the liver resulting in cirrhosis. Patient suffering from fatty liver have 5 times more chances of developing liver cancer compared to others

• Family history: According to research immediate family members suffering from liver cancer have double the risk to developing liver cancer than others

• Aflatoxin: Consumption of contaminated food results in the exposure to fungi called aflatoxin. In 1988, the IARC placed aflatoxin B1 on the list of human carcinogens. This is supported by a number of epidemiological studies that have demonstrated a positive association between dietary aflatoxins and Liver Cell Cancer (LCC)

• Betel quid: According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the World Health Organization chewing betel quids and areca nut increases the risk of liver cancer

• Chemicals: Long term exposure to chemicals like Vinyl Chloride which is used to make plastics, packaging and pipes can result in liver damage and increase the probability of liver cancer

Signs and Symptoms of Liver Cancer:

Few of the most common symptoms include:

• Unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, fatigue, nausea, feeling of fullness, fever, indigestion and weakness
• Swelling and pain on the right side of the upper abdomen
• Jaundice

How Liver Cancer is Diagnosed?

People suffering from cirrhosis and Hepatitis are recommended to go for regular Ultrasound of the abdomen, Alpha Fetoprotien test (blood test) and Liver function test. Other tests include:

• Scans such as ultrasound scan, computerized tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. These scans help to find out about the location and spread of the disease

• Liver biopsy: This is usually done to confirm the type of cancer. A small sample of the tissue is removed from the abnormal area and evaluated under the microscope

How can you prevent the disease?

• Reduce the risk of cirrhosis by drinking alcohol in moderation (woman- not more than one drink per day and man- not more than two drinks per day)
• Avoid eating raw fish
• Get vaccinated for hepatitis B virus
• Take proper measures to prevent hepatitis C virus by performing safe sex, using a clean needle, etc.

Radiation Therapy

It uses high-energy rays that are directed to the cancer to kill the cancer cells. The normal liver cells are quite sensitive to radiation. The complications include skin irritation near the treatment site, nausea, vomiting and fatigue.

Chemotherapy

It uses a medicine which kills the cancer cells. The medicine can be given by mouth or by injecting it into the vein or artery feeding the liver. You can have a variety of side effects from chemotherapy, depending on the medications used and the patient’s individual response. The complications include easy bruising, nausea, fatigue, hair loss, vomiting, diarrhea, mouth sores and swollen legs. Usually these side effects are temporary.

Follow-Up Care

Even after you have completed the liver cancer treatment, your doctors will want to watch you closely. It is significant to go for all follow-up appointments. During these visits, your doctors will ask if you have any problems, do the physical exams, blood tests and imaging tests.

If you have been treated with a surgical resection or a liver transplant and have no signs of cancer remaining, then most doctors will recommend a follow-up with imaging tests and blood tests every three to six months for the first two years, then every six to 12 months. Follow-up is needed to check for cancer spread or recurrence as well as the possible side effects of certain treatments. Almost with any cancer treatment, there are some side effects. Some of them only last a few weeks or months while others can last a long time. Do not hesitate to tell your cancer care team about any of the symptoms or side effects bothering you so that they can help you to manage them effectively. It is also vital to keep health insurance since the health care costs a lot and although no one wants to think of their cancer coming back, but this could happen.

Liver Cancer Treatment and Surgery in India:

Indian hospitals offer the latest advances in Liver cancer surgery. The oncologists work together with clinicians from a variety of specialties to develop a personalized, aggressive treatment plan tailored to one’s needs, including therapies that help you preserve your quality of life.

The hospitals in India use advanced, minimally invasive techniques to detect cancer anywhere in the body. Then a customized treatment plan is developed, and the same diagnostic tools are used to monitor your progress during the liver cancer surgery and treatment. Many hospitals in India have multidisciplinary teams to treat liver cancer.

Hospitals in India also offer a wide range of complementary therapies to help relieve pain and the side effects of chemotherapy, including yoga, accupuncture, massage therapy, etc. The benefits of these treatments may extend beyond pain relief, helping the patient feel calmer.

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For more information please contact us at

Email: care@surgerytoursindia.com

Phone: +91-888 292 1234 / +91-9730 001 540