How is liver cancer treated with surgery?

  How is liver cancer treated with surgery?

Surgery is a common treatment option for liver cancer that is localized to the liver and has not spread to other parts of the body. The type of surgery used will depend on the size, location, and extent of the tumor, as well as the overall health of the patient.

One surgical option is called a partial hepatectomy, which involves removing a portion of the liver containing the cancerous tumor. The remaining healthy liver tissue is then able to regenerate and compensate for the loss of tissue. In some cases, a liver transplant may be recommended for patients with liver cancer.

Another surgical option is called radiofrequency ablation (RFA), which involves using heat generated by an electric current to destroy cancerous tissue. During this procedure, a thin needle is inserted into the liver through the skin and guided to the tumor using imaging technology. The needle then emits a high-frequency electric current that heats and destroys the cancerous cells.

In addition to surgery, other treatments may be used to treat liver cancer, either alone or in combination with surgery. These include:

• Radiation therapy: high-energy radiation is used to destroy cancer cells.
• Chemotherapy: drugs are used to kill cancer cells.
• Targeted therapy: drugs are used to target specific molecules or pathways that are involved in the growth and spread of cancer cells.
• Immunotherapy: drugs are used to stimulate the patient's immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.

The choice of treatment will depend on the size and stage of the cancer, the location of the tumor, the overall health of the patient, and other factors. A team of healthcare professionals will work together to develop an individualized treatment plan for each patient with liver cancer.