Liver Cancer Treatment
Treatment options for people with liver cancer are surgery (including a liver transplant), ablation, embolization, targeted therapy, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. You may have a combination of treatments.
The treatment that's right for you depends mainly on the following:
- the number, size, and location of tumors in your liver
- how well your liver is working and whether you have cirrhosis
- whether the cancer has spread outside your liver
Other factors to consider include your age, general health, and concerns about the treatments and their possible side effects.
At this time, liver cancer can be cured only when it's found at an early stage (before it has spread) and only if people are healthy enough to have surgery. For people who can't have surgery, other treatments may be able to help them live longer and feel better. Many doctors encourage people with liver cancer to consider taking part in a clinical trial. Clinical trials are research studies testing new treatments. They are an important option for people with all stages of liver cancer. See the Taking Part in Cancer Research section.
Your doctor may refer you to a specialist, or you may ask for a referral. Specialists who treat liver cancer include surgeons (especially hepatobiliary surgeons, surgical oncologists, and transplant surgeons), gastroenterologists, medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists. Your health care team may also include an oncology nurse and a registered dietitian.
Your health care team can describe your treatment choices, the expected results of each, and the possible side effects. Because cancer therapy often damages healthy cells and tissues, side effects are common. Before treatment starts, ask your health care team about possible side effects and how treatment may change your normal activities. You and your health care team can work together to develop a treatment plan that meets your needs.
You may want to ask your doctor these questions before your treatment begins:
- What is the stage of the disease? Has the liver cancer spread?
- Do I have cirrhosis?
- Do I need any more tests to determine whether I can have surgery?
- What is the goal of treatment? What are my treatment choices? Which do you recommend for me? Why?
- What are the expected benefits of each kind of treatment?
- What are the risks and possible side effects of each treatment? How can side effects be managed?
- Will I need to stay in the hospital? If so, for how long?
- How will you treat my pain?
- What will the treatment cost? Will my insurance cover it?
- How will treatment affect my normal activities?
- Would a clinical trial (research study) be appropriate for me?
- How often will I need checkups?
- Can you recommend other doctors who could give me a second opinion about my treatment options?
