Dr. Bhavana Parikh

Liver Cancer Treatment in Ahmedabad

Liver Cancer

DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENTS, CAUSES

According to medical experts, common causes of liver cancer are regular, high alcohol consumption, having unprotected sex and injecting drugs with shared needles.

About Aurum Cancer Care

Aurum Cancer Care, located in Ahmedabad, stands as a beacon of hope for individuals battling liver cancer. Led by the esteemed Dr. Bhavana Parikh, Aurum Cancer Care is renowned for its comprehensive approach to liver cancer treatment. With a focus on personalized care, advanced technology, and a multidisciplinary team, Aurum Cancer Care ensures the best possible outcomes for patients.

Understanding Liver Cancer:

Liver cancer, also known as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is a complex disease that requires specialized treatment. It often arises in the context of chronic liver disease, such as cirrhosis or hepatitis B and C infections. Early detection and timely intervention are crucial for effective management.

Comprehensive Liver Cancer Treatment:

Aurum Cancer Care offers a comprehensive range of treatment options for liver cancer, ensuring that patients receive the most suitable care for their condition. These include:

  • Surgical Interventions:
    • Liver Resection: Surgical removal of the tumor and surrounding liver tissue.
    • Liver Transplantation: Replacement of the diseased liver with a healthy liver from a donor.
    • Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) and Microwave Ablation: Minimally invasive procedures that use heat to destroy cancer cells.
  • Interventional Radiology:
    • Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE): Delivery of chemotherapy directly to the tumor site via the hepatic artery, followed by embolization to block blood flow to the tumor.
    • Radioembolization (Yttrium-90): Administration of radioactive microspheres into the blood vessels supplying the tumor, leading to localized radiation therapy.
  • Systemic Therapy:
    • Targeted Therapy: Drugs that target specific molecular pathways involved in cancer growth and progression. Immunotherapy: Harnessing the body’s immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells.
  • Supportive Care:
    • Pain Management: Ensuring patients are comfortable throughout their treatment journey.
    • Nutritional Support: Addressing nutritional needs to optimize patient strength and resilience.
    • Psychological Support: Providing emotional support and counselling to patients and their families.
  • Multidisciplinary Approach:
    • Aurum Cancer Care adopts a multidisciplinary approach to liver cancer treatment, bringing together experts from various specialties including surgical oncology, medical oncology, radiation oncology, interventional radiology, pathology, and supportive care. This collaborative effort ensures that patients receive holistic care that addresses all aspects of their condition.
  • Patient-Centric Care:
    • At Aurum Cancer Care, patients are at the heart of everything we do. From the moment they walk through our doors, they are treated with compassion, dignity, and respect. Our team goes above and beyond to ensure that patients feel supported, informed, and empowered throughout their treatment journey.

Symptoms

Following are the crucial symptoms that are associated with liver cancer:

Other symptoms of liver cancer may include:

Causes

The actual cause of liver cancer is unknown; however, researchers have identified a few risk factors that are associated with liver cancer:
  • Chronic Hepatitis B and C Infection: Chronic hepatitis B and C infection are found to be one of the biggest risk factors for liver cancer.
  • Chronic or Inherited Liver Disorders: Chronic liver disorders, such as cirrhosis or those that have been inherited (e.g. hemochromatosis) increase the risk of liver cancers.
  • Excessive Alcohol Consumption: Heavy use of alcohol leads to liver cirrhosis, which, in turn, can lead to liver cancers.
  • Family History of Liver Cancer: Those having a family history of liver cancer are at a higher risk of developing this condition
  • Obesity: Obese individuals are at a higher risk of developing liver cancers.
  • Gender: The incidence of liver cancer is relatively higher among men than women.
  • Compromised Immune System: Those with a compromised immune system due to health conditions such as HIV, hepatitis B infection, etc., are at a higher risk of developing liver cancer.
  • Smoking: Tobacco usage triggers liver cancer formation.
  • Aflatoxins: Aflatoxins are toxic substances released by the moulds that grow on certain crops, namely wheat, corn, nuts, groundnuts, soybean, etc. Prolonged exposure to aflatoxins increases liver cancer risk.
  • Type-2 Diabetes: Those with type -2 diabetes, especially those who are also diagnosed with hepatitis, are at a higher risk of getting liver cancer.
  • Consumption of water containing arsenic: Those who drink water from arsenic-contaminated wells are at a higher risk of acquiring a variety of illnesses, including liver cancer.

Diagnosis

Liver Cancer Screening: Those with Hepatitis B and C infections, alcohol-related cirrhosis, other alcohol abusers, and those who have cirrhosis as a result of hemochromatosis are all considered as high-risk individuals. They should consider regular liver cancer screening as it helps in the early detection of the disease. If liver cancer is not detected early, it is significantly more challenging to treat and manage. As liver cancers show no symptoms in their early stages, the only way to detect them early is through screening.

If liver cancer is suspected during the screening, following additional tests may be recommended for a confirmed diagnosis.

a. Blood test: Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) is a chemical secreted by liver tumours. Adults with increased AFP levels should consider additional tests for liver cancer, as this protein is produced in 70% of all liver malignancies. High iron levels could also indicate the presence of a tumour.

b. Imaging Tests: Ultrasound imaging is commonly recommended since it can identify tumours as small as one millimetre. These tumours are diagnosed and staged using high-resolution CT scans and contrast MRI images.

c. Biopsy: A tissue sample from the suspected area is collected and analysed under a microscope during a biopsy. This test is necessary for the definitive diagnosis of the condition.

d. Laparoscopy: Laparoscopy may be recommended in various situations, including finding tiny tumours, determining the amount of cirrhosis, collecting a biopsy, and even confirming the results from previous tests.

Treatment

The treatment planning for liver cancer patients is made upon considering multiple factors, such as the patient’s age, overall health, and personal preferences, as well as the stage of the disease, tumour size, exact location of the tumour and tumour grade. The following are the treatment options available for liver cancer management: a. Surgery: Surgery is one of the main treatment options recommended for liver cancer. Depending on the stage of the disease, there are different surgical procedures recommended by the doctor.
  • Liver Resection or Hepatectomy: The surgical removal of all or part of the liver is called liver resection. In the case of partial hepatectomy, the tumour is removed with a small portion of healthy tissue. During full hepatectomy, the liver may be removed entirely.
  • Liver Transplant Surgery: Liver transplant surgery is usually a treatment option for those patients who have tumours that cannot be operated on, either because of their location or because a large portion of the liver is affected by the disease and surgery will be too much for the patient to tolerate. Liver transplant surgery is largely recommended for patients with early-stage cancers, wherein the disease has not spread to nearby organs.
b. Ablation: Ablation is one of the treatment options recommended for liver cancer, and it destroys liver tumours without removing them. Ablation is usually recommended in cases where patients have small tumours or have health conditions that do not allow them to undergo surgery. Ablation is not a curative approach for liver cancer; however, it can be helpful for some patients.
  • Cryoablation: Cryoablation is a procedure wherein the cancer cells are frozen and killed using cold gases.
  • Radiofrequency ablation (RFA): Radiofrequency uses high-energy radio waves to heat the tumour and destroy the cancer cells. A thin, needle-like probe is used through which a high-frequency current is passed to the tumour to destroy it.
  • Microwave Ablation (MWA): This treatment approach uses microwave waves to destroy the tumour.
  • Ethanol (alcohol) Ablation: This procedure involves injecting concentrated alcohol directly into the tumour in order to destroy the cancer cells.
c. Embolisation Therapy: Tumour cells cannot survive without oxygen and nutrients and tumour cells receive these biomolecules through the blood supply. Embolisation therapy is a treatment option for liver cancer, wherein specific chemicals are injected directly into a liver artery to restrict or limit blood flow to a tumour.
  • Trans-arterial embolisation (TAE): TAE is a medical procedure that involves cutting off the blood supply to a tumour or abnormal tissues. During this procedure, a small incision (cut) is made in the inner thigh, and a catheter (a slender and flexible tube) is inserted and guided into an artery near the tumour or abnormal tissue. Once the catheter is in position, tiny particles are injected into the artery to block it, preventing the tumour from receiving oxygen and nutrition.
  • Transarterial Chemoembolisation (TACE): This is a specialised embolisation procedure that combines both embolisation and chemotherapy. In most cases, TACE is initiated by administering chemotherapy directly into the artery via a catheter, then sealing the artery to ensure that the chemo medication stays close to the tumour.
  • Radioembolisation (RE): This treatment approach combines radiation therapy and embolisation. During this procedure, radioactive substances are injected into the beads form through the inserted catheter. These radioactive beads remain in the artery and give off a small amount of radiation for a certain period of time in order to destroy the cancer cells.
d. Radiation Therapy: This treatment method involves treating liver cancer with high-dose radiation. Radiation therapy is a non-invasive procedure that may be combined with other treatment options in order to enhance the efficacy of the overall treatment. Radiation therapy may also help in easing pain and other complications seen in patients with advanced-stage liver cancers. e. Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is one of the common treatment options recommended for liver cancers. The doctor may recommend chemotherapy in order to shrink the tumour before the surgery (neoadjuvant chemotherapy) or to destroy the residual cancer cells after the surgery (adjuvant chemotherapy). Chemotherapy is often combined with other treatment methods, namely radiation therapy and embolisation in order to increase the overall effectiveness of the treatment. It is also used as a part of palliative care in order to ease the symptoms caused by the disease. f. Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy for liver cancer works by stimulating the patient’s immune system to fight against the disease. Most cancers release specific proteins that block the immune cells from attacking them. Although not a main line of treatment for liver cancer, immunotherapy can be helpful for some liver cancer patients. g. Targeted therapy: Targeted therapy is a treatment approach used to treat cancers, and it specifically targets the genes, proteins, or tissue environment that contribute to the growth and spreading of cancers. In the case of liver cancers, targeted therapies use anti-angiogenesis drugs. These drugs halt the formation of new blood vessels and starve the tumour of oxygen and necessary nutrients.

FAQs

Liver cancer, also known as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is a type of cancer that begins in the cells of the liver. It can arise from chronic liver diseases such as cirrhosis or hepatitis B and C infections.

Liver cancer is relatively uncommon but is among the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Its incidence has been increasing, particularly in regions with high rates of hepatitis B and C infections.

Risk factors for liver cancer include chronic viral hepatitis (B and C), cirrhosis, excessive alcohol consumption, fatty liver disease, exposure to aflatoxins, obesity, diabetes, and certain genetic conditions.

Symptoms of liver cancer may include abdominal pain or swelling, unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), fatigue, nausea, and vomiting.

Liver cancer is typically diagnosed through a combination of imaging tests such as ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI, along with blood tests to assess liver function and tumor markers. A liver biopsy may also be performed to confirm the diagnosis.

Aurum Cancer Care offers a comprehensive range of treatment options for liver cancer, including surgery (resection or transplantation), interventional radiology procedures (TACE, radioembolization), systemic therapy (targeted therapy, immunotherapy), and supportive care.

The treatment plan for liver cancer is personalized based on factors such as the stage of cancer, the location and size of the tumor, the patient’s overall health, and their treatment goals. The multidisciplinary team at Aurum Cancer Care collaborates to develop an individualized approach for each patient.

Surgical interventions such as liver resection and transplantation are often used to remove the tumor and surrounding tissue. These procedures offer the potential for cure, particularly in patients with early-stage disease or those who meet the criteria for transplantation.

Aurum Cancer Care provides a range of supportive care services to help patients manage symptoms, cope with side effects of treatment, and improve their quality of life. This includes pain management, nutritional support, psychological counseling, and assistance with financial and logistical challenges.

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Bhavana Parikh, the leading liver cancer specialist at Aurum Cancer Care, you can contact our clinic directly by phone or email. Our team will guide you through the process and ensure that you receive the care and support you need.

Every Patient Deserves

Best Care and Treatment

Dr. Bhavana Parikh DNB (Oncosurgery)