The type of treatment you’re offered depends on the type and stage of your liver cancer. Some people might need one type of treatment, whereas others might need a few different ones.
Surgery
Surgery is the most effective treatment for primary liver cancer that hasn’t spread. This involves a liver transplant or a liver resection and means removing the cancer from your liver. The liver has the ability to repair itself. Even if up to 80% of the liver is removed it will start to regrow in a short space of time.
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
This treatment uses radio waves to heat up and attack cancer cells. This procedure can be carried out under local or general anaesthetic.
Microwave ablation
This is a recent treatment. It’s similar to radiofrequency ablation but it uses microwaves instead of radio waves to heat up the cancer cells and attack them. This treatment may not be possible if your tumour is too close to another organ such as the bowel.
Percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI)
By injecting alcohol (ethanol) into the cancer in your liver the tissue is dehydrated, which stops the blood supply to the cancer. It’s most suitable for people who only have a few small tumours. This is most often carried out under a local anaesthetic and you will often have more than one session of treatment. The number of sessions will depend on the size of your tumour.
Chemoembolisation
Sometimes called transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE), this treatment gives chemotherapy directly to your liver. The consultant specialist will also inject a substance into the blood vessel to cut off the blood supply to the tumour (embolisation). This reduces the supply of oxygen and food to the tumour and can help to shrink it.
Chemoembolisation generally helps to manage the symptoms of liver cancer rather than cure it.
Radioembolisation
Radioembolisation is another recent treatment. It’s similar to chemoembolisation but uses radiation to attack the cancer cells. Like chemoembolisation, this treatment is generally used to manage symptoms rather than cure. This treatment may also be called selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT).
Biological therapy
Biological therapies, sometimes known as targeted therapies, are treatments that act on processes in the cells. They can interfere with the growth of some types of cancer cells. They can also slow the growth of new blood vessels to the tumour.
Chemotherapy
Depending on the type and size of your tumour your consultant specialist might recommend chemotherapy. Chemotherapy drugs can be given intravenously (injected into a vein), by taking tablets, or by injecting the drugs directly into the liver. Chemotherapy can help to slow down the cancer’s growth and control your symptoms.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy is only occasionally used to treat liver cancer. This is because radiation can damage healthy liver cells. It’s sometimes used if the cancer has spread to other areas of the body to help treat the area and control symptoms like pain.
After treatment
You’ll have regular check-ups following your liver cancer treatment. How often and for how long depends on the kind of treatment that you had.
At follow-up appointments, your doctor will ask how you’re feeling and examine you. You might also need blood tests, a CT or MRI scan, an ultrasound scan or a combination of these.
If you’re worried or spot any new symptoms between appointments, you should tell your doctor as soon as you can.
Paying for your treatment
You have two options to pay for your treatment – your costs may be covered by your private medical insurance, or you can pay for yourself.
Check with your private medical insurer to see if your diagnostic costs are covered under your medical insurance policy.
If you are paying for your own treatment the cost of the procedure will be explained and confirmed in writing when you book the operation.
Ask the hospital for a quote beforehand, and ensure that this includes the consultants’ fees and the hospital charge for your procedure.
Want to know more?
If you’d like to read more about liver cancer, treatment or living with liver cancer, please visit cancerresearchuk.org.uk.