Can primary liver cancer be treated?

Written by Sun Wei
Surgical Oncology
Updated on September 06, 2024
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Primary liver cancer is also treatable. Generally, if the primary liver cancer is small and has not widely metastasized, surgical resection can be considered, mainly involving hepatectomy and lymph node dissection. Postoperative comprehensive treatment including chemotherapy and radiotherapy is also applied. For primary liver cancer, interventional chemotherapy, as well as methods like cryotherapy, microwave, and ablation can be considered to control the progression of the disease. Additionally, oral targeted therapy such as sorafenib can be used. If primary liver cancer is widely metastasized at the time of detection, there generally aren’t very effective treatment options, and the average survival period might be around six months, with poor treatment outcomes.

Other Voices

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Written by Peng Li Bo
Oncology
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Is primary liver cancer hereditary?

Primary liver cancer is usually not hereditary, but the reason why it tends to appear in families in China is mainly due to the widespread infection of hepatitis B virus, which then leads to a significant correlation with hepatic cirrhosis caused by hepatitis B. It is well known that the hepatitis B virus is contagious and can easily be transmitted within families and from mother to child. Therefore, it is not uncommon to see several cases of liver cancer within the same family, indicating a familial aggregation. Another factor is related to dietary habits, for example, the infection of aflatoxin, which is mainly found in moldy peanuts. If the dietary habits within a family are similar, then, of course, the likelihood of occurrence is certainly higher.

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Written by Ye Xi Yong
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Will Hepatitis B "big three yang" turn into liver cancer?

Patients with severe hepatitis B, if not treated in time or improperly or for an inadequate duration, may progress to develop liver cirrhosis. A portion of those with cirrhosis might then develop liver cancer. Therefore, patients with severe hepatitis B could potentially develop liver cancer if left untreated or not properly treated. Therefore, once diagnosed with hepatitis B, particularly severe forms, prompt and standardized treatment should be sought to achieve an antiviral response against hepatitis B and prevent the occurrence of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.

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Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
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Early-stage liver cancer: how to exercise daily

Patients with early-stage liver cancer can engage in light and low-intensity exercises daily, such as slow walking and strolling. This is because early-stage liver cancer patients generally have an acceptable physical condition, although most of them have low immunity. Doing some appropriate exercises can enhance the patients’ immune system and has minimal impact on their overall physical condition. Moreover, patients with early-stage liver cancer usually undergo curative surgery for treatment. In most cases, post-surgery, they do not require radiation, chemotherapy, or targeted therapy for tumor treatment. With close follow-up, as long as there is no recurrence or metastasis, most patients can achieve clinical cure. Early exercise is beneficial for the recovery of patients, thus it is recommended. In addition, for patients with early-stage liver cancer, close follow-up of the disease changes after curative surgery is crucial to provide timely treatment.

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Written by Yan Chun
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Will early-stage liver cancer cause weight loss?

For patients with early-stage liver cancer, symptoms of wasting do not occur at the onset. This is because wasting in liver cancer patients is due to insufficient albumin synthesis as the tumor causes a substantial consumption of protein, coupled with a decrease in appetite leading to inadequate intake of nutrients such as albumin, which ultimately results in wasting. This is a common clinical manifestation in patients with advanced liver cancer. However, for patients with early-stage liver cancer, the impairment of liver function is relatively minor; therefore, their synthesis of albumin is normal. Moreover, early-stage patients exhibit almost no clinical symptoms and their appetite remains normal, with no decrease in food intake. Thus, their intake of nutrients is also maintained at normal levels. Additionally, as the tumor is smaller in the early stages, the consumption of the body's nutrients is less. Considering these three factors, the overall protein consumption remains normal and not excessive, thus preventing the patients from experiencing wasting.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
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Can alpha-fetoprotein confirm liver cancer?

Alpha-fetoprotein is a type of oncofetal antigen and a glycoprotein. It is used clinically as a highly specific marker for diagnosing primary liver cancer. However, elevated alpha-fetoprotein levels do not definitively indicate liver cancer, as although it is a tumor marker with diagnostic significance, elevated levels can also be seen in patients with liver cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis. Additionally, increased alpha-fetoprotein can occur in pregnant women or in the presence of other types of cancer, so further investigation is necessary to confirm the cause.