| Primary liver cancer is cancer that forms in the | | | | Radiofrequency ablation: In this procedure, electric |
| tissues of the liver. Secondary liver cancer is cancer | | | | current in the radiofrequency range is used to |
| that spreads to the liver from another part of the | | | | destroy malignant cells. Using an ultrasound or CT |
| body. The only real cure for liver cancer is an organ | | | | scan as a guide, your surgeon inserts several thin |
| transplant,” explains Zuckerman, an associate | | | | needles into small incisions in your abdomen. When |
| professor and interventional radiologist at UC. | | | | the needles reach the tumor, they're heated with an |
| “But this procedure allows us to stabilize the | | | | electric current, destroying the malignant cells. |
| patient’s condition by controlling cancer growth | | | | Radiofrequency ablation is an option for people with |
| and shrinking the tumor. Then we can deal with it | | | | small, unresectable hepatocellular tumors and for |
| surgically, or as a stand-alone therapy for patients | | | | some types of metastatic liver cancers. Although the |
| who aren’t good candidates for surgery.” | | | | procedure has a somewhat higher risk of serious |
| Liver Cancer Treatment | | | | complications than alcohol injection does, it appears to |
| Surgery: is the most effective treatment for primary | | | | provide better outcomes. |
| liver cancer, but this is not always possible due to the | | | | Chemoembolization: Chemoembolization is most |
| size or position of the tumour. It is also not possible | | | | beneficial to patients whose disease is limited to the |
| to operate if the cancer has spread beyond the liver. | | | | liver. Some success has been demonstrated with |
| If the liver is severely damaged by cirrhosis it may | | | | patients whose cancer has spread to other areas. |
| not be safe to have surgery. | | | | Patients with kidney disease, blood coagulation |
| Alcohol injection: In this procedure, pure alcohol is | | | | problems, or known allergies to contrast agents are |
| injected directly into tumors, either through the skin | | | | not good candidates for this procedure. |
| or during an operation. Alcohol dries out the cells of | | | | Radiation therapy: This treatment uses high-powered |
| the tumor and eventually the cells die. Each | | | | energy beams to destroy cancer cells and shrink |
| treatment consists of one injection, although you | | | | tumors. Radiation may come from a machine outside |
| may need a series of injections for the best results. | | | | your body or fromradiation-containing materials |
| Alcohol injection has been shown to improve survival | | | | inserted into your liver. Radiation may be used on its |
| in people with small hepatocellular tumors. It may also | | | | own to treat localized unresectable cancer. Or you |
| be used to help reduce symptoms in cases of | | | | may have radiation therapy following surgical removal |
| metastatic liver cancer. The most common side | | | | of a tumor to help destroy any remaining malignant |
| effect is leaking of alcohol onto the liver or into the | | | | cells. Radiation side effects may include fatigue, |
| abdominal cavity. | | | | nausea and vomiting. |
| Liver transplantation: Liver transplantation is surgery | | | | Chemotherapy: This treatment uses powerful drugs |
| to remove a diseased liver and replace it with a | | | | to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be systemic |
| healthy liver from an organ donor. A liver transplant is | | | | — meaning it travels throughout your body in your |
| necessary when disease makes the liver stop | | | | bloodstream — or regional. |
| working. The most common reason for liver | | | | Systemic chemotherapy is generally not effective in |
| transplantation in adults is cirrhosis, a disease in which | | | | treating liver cancer, but may be a treatment option |
| healthy liver cells are killed and replaced with scar | | | | in certain cases. |
| tissue. | | | | |