Patients with liver cancer have a chance of being completely cured. There are several treatment methods for liver cancer, depending on the stage of the disease, the location of the tumor, and the patient’s physical condition.
In cases of early-stage liver cancer and patients who are generally healthy with tumors that can be surgically removed, doctors will choose liver surgery or liver transplantation. If the surgery is successful and goes well, the patient has a chance to recover fully.
However, if the patient cannot undergo surgery, such as in cases of advanced cancer, poor physical condition unsuitable for surgery, elderly patients, or tumors that are not suitable in size or location making surgery high risk, doctors will choose localized treatment with interventional radiology. This method can precisely identify the tumor location and use small instruments to treat the tumor directly. The treatment options are as follows:
1. Localized tumor ablation
Currently, there are two popular methods:
- Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
This treatment uses a needle that emits radiofrequency waves, inserted through the skin into the liver tumor to directly destroy the tumor. The needle generates high heat, about 90-100 degrees Celsius at the tip, and the treatment takes about 20-40 minutes. This heat causes the cancer cells to dry up, shrink, and eventually die. - Microwave Ablation
Similar to RFA, this method involves inserting a needle through the skin into the liver to directly destroy tumor cells. However, it emits microwave energy in an appropriate amount. When the tumor absorbs the microwave energy, the heat generated kills the tumor cells.
RFA and Microwave Ablation are treatments for liver cancer patients who cannot undergo surgery. They can be used for primary liver cancer or cancer that has spread to the liver from other organs. Interventional radiology techniques help precisely locate the tumor. These treatments are not complicated and have few side effects. Patients usually stay in the hospital for only 1-2 days before going home. However, these treatments are most effective for tumors no larger than 3 centimeters and have limitations if the tumor is near vital organs such as blood vessels or the gallbladder.
2. Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE)
This is a localized chemotherapy treatment delivered through a catheter inserted from the groin into the hepatic artery. The catheter is guided through the blood vessels using interventional radiology techniques to precisely reach the tumor.
Chemotherapy drugs are then delivered directly to the tumor, and embolic agents are used to block the blood vessels supplying the tumor, reducing its blood supply. When the tumor is deprived of blood, it shrinks, reducing the severity of the disease.
This method is a palliative treatment for patients who cannot have the tumor surgically removed or to shrink the tumor to make surgery safer.
In some cases, TACE may need to be repeated every 6-8 weeks if residual or new tumors remain, as surrounding blood vessels may continue to supply the area where the tumor was previously located. Sometimes, doctors combine this method with RFA or Microwave Ablation to improve treatment effectiveness.
