Best Doctors for Liver Cancer in Chennai

A liver transplant can potentially cure liver cancer if the tumour is localized to the liver and meets specific criteria. However, it is not a recommended means of treatment for all patients.

Chemotherapy is one of the treatment options for liver cancer but is not always required. The choice of treatment depends on the stage of cancer, the patient’s overall health, and other treatment modalities available, such as surgery or targeted therapy.

Liver cancer is often difficult to detect in the early stages because it may not cause noticeable symptoms until it has progressed. Additionally, routine screening for liver cancer is not recommended for everyone, which can lead to delayed diagnosis in some cases.

The rate at which liver cancer spreads can vary from person to person. Some types of liver cancer may grow and spread rapidly, while others may progress slowly. For example, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of liver cancer that tends to grow and spread quickly. In contrast, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is a rare type of liver cancer. It originates in the bile ducts and tends to grow and spread slowly.

The leading causes of liver cancer include chronic infection with hepatitis B or C viruses, unrestrained alcohol consumption, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), exposure to certain chemicals or toxins, and certain inherited conditions.

The risk of liver cancer can increase because of inherited conditions such as hereditary hemochromatosis. It is a disorder that causes the body to absorb more than the necessary amount of iron from food and store it in the liver along with other organs. This excess iron can damage the liver and may cause conditions like cirrhosis and liver cancer. However, the majority of cases are not directly genetic. Other risk factors, like chronic viral hepatitis, alcohol abuse, and liver cirrhosis, play a more significant role.

Yes, excessive alcohol consumption is a significant risk factor. Long-term alcohol abuse can lead to alcoholic liver disease, which increases the risk of developing liver cancer.

The prognosis for liver cancer varies depending on the stage of cancer at diagnosis, the overall health of the patient, and the treatment received. The patient’s survival rate depends on the stage of cancer and the overall progress of the treatment. Early detection and appropriate treatment can improve these survival rates. However, advanced-stage liver cancer may have a poorer prognosis.

Liver cancer is typically diagnosed through imaging tests, like CT, MRI, or PET scans. The alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) test is one of the diagnostic tests for liver cancer. AFP is a protein produced by some liver tumours that can be detected in blood samples. It is often used as a screening test for people at high risk of liver cancer or as a monitoring test for people with liver cancer. A biopsy may be performed in certain cases to confirm the diagnosis by examining a small sample of liver tissue under a microscope.

See a doctor if you experience persistent symptoms such as sudden unexplained weight loss, pain in the abdomen or shoulder on the right side, jaundice, or any other concerning signs.

Symptoms of liver cancer often include loss of weight, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), nausea, fatigue, and swelling in the abdomen. Patients can experience white or chalky stools as another symptom when the bile ducts are blocked by tumours and prevent bile from reaching the intestines. However, some patients may not experience any symptoms in the early stages.

While it’s not always possible to prevent liver cancer, specific measures, like maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol consumption, vaccinating against hepatitis B, practising safe sex, and avoiding exposure to hepatitis C, can reduce its risk.

Surgery, radiation therapy, ablation therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy are some of the treatment options for liver cancer. The choice of treatment depends on the stage of cancer and the patient’s overall health. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is one of the treatment options for liver cancer. TACE is a type of embolization therapy that delivers chemotherapy drugs directly to the tumour through a catheter. It is often used for patients who cannot undergo surgery or ablation therapy.

Liver cancer is typically treated by a multidisciplinary team that includes hepatologists, surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, interventional radiologists, and medical oncologists. These specialists work together to provide comprehensive care to patients with liver cancer.