Understanding Liver Cancer Surgery Options By The Best Gastro Hospital in Surat
A diagnosis of liver cancer can be a daunting and life-altering moment. As individuals confront the challenges posed by this complex disease, understanding the available treatment options becomes paramount. Among these options, surgery stands out as a crucial tool in the arsenal against liver cancer. In this blog, we help you delve into the various liver cancer surgery options, shedding light on the intricacies of each procedure and providing a roadmap for those on the path to healing.
1. Liver Resection:
Liver resection, or hepatectomy, as explained by our experts at SIDS hospital, one of the best gastro hospitals in Surat, is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of a portion of the liver affected by cancer. The extent of the resection depends on factors such as the size, location, and number of tumours, as well as the overall health of the patient.
● Partial Hepatectomy: In cases where the cancer is confined to a specific section of the liver, a partial hepatectomy may be performed. This involves removing the tumour along with a margin of healthy tissue, ensuring that all cancerous cells are excised.
● Lobectomy: For more extensive tumours or those affecting a larger portion of the liver, a lobectomy may be recommended. This procedure involves removing an entire lobe of the liver, allowing for the elimination of cancerous tissue while preserving the remaining healthy liver.
2. Liver Transplantation:
Liver transplantation is a viable option for select individuals with liver cancer, particularly those with early-stage disease and certain eligibility criteria. During this procedure, the diseased liver is replaced with a healthy liver from a deceased or living donor.
● Strict Eligibility Criteria: Stringent criteria, including tumour size, number of tumours, and absence of extrahepatic spread, determine eligibility. A thorough evaluation by a transplant team is essential to assess the appropriateness of this option.
● Challenges and Success Rates: Liver transplantation poses challenges, including the availability of suitable donors and the risk of rejection. However, for eligible candidates, it offers the potential for a cure and a chance at a cancer-free life. The challenges & success rates can be discussed with a surgeon at your nearest hospital where the best liver cancer surgeries in Surat are performed.
3. Ablation Therapy:
Ablation therapy is a minimally invasive approach that targets and destroys cancerous tissue using various techniques. This option is particularly suitable for individuals with small tumours or those who may not be candidates for surgery as highlighted by our gastro experts at SIDS hospital, one of the best hospitals in Surat.
● Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA): RFA employs high-energy radio waves to heat and destroy cancer cells. This procedure is often performed using a thin needle inserted into the tumour, guided by imaging techniques. RFA is effective for small tumours and may be repeated if necessary.
● Microwave Ablation: Similar to RFA, microwave ablation employs heat to destroy cancer cells. However, it utilizes microwave energy instead of radiofrequency waves. This technique may offer advantages in certain cases, and its effectiveness is an area of ongoing research.
● Cryoablation: Cryoablation involves the use of extreme cold to freeze and eliminate cancerous tissue. During this procedure, a probe is inserted into the tumour, and freezing gases are circulated, destroying the cancer cells. Cryoablation is often considered for small liver tumours.
4. Embolization Techniques:
Embolization procedures aim to cut off the blood supply to tumours, thereby depriving the tumours of nutrients and impeding their growth. This technique is used when surgery is not a viable option.
● Trans arterial Chemoembolization (TACE): TACE combines the delivery of chemotherapy directly to the tumour with the blockage of its blood supply. This dual approach enhances the treatment’s effectiveness in controlling tumour growth and may be employed for larger tumours or those in challenging locations.
● Trans arterial Radioembolization (TARE): TARE, also known as selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT), involves the injection of tiny radioactive beads directly into the blood vessels supplying the tumour. This targeted radiation delivery is effective in treating liver cancer that is not amenable to surgery or transplantation.
5. Targeted Therapy and Immunotherapy: Targeted therapy and immunotherapy also play a crucial role in treating advanced liver cancer.
● Targeted Therapy: Targeted drugs work by interfering with specific molecules involved in the growth and progression of cancer cells. These drugs may be used to shrink tumours before surgery, control cancer growth, or manage disease that has spread beyond the liver.
● Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy harnesses the body’s immune system to target and destroy cancer cells. Checkpoint inhibitors, for example, may be used in the treatment of advanced liver cancer. These drugs help the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively.
Conclusion:
Navigating liver cancer surgery options involves a nuanced understanding of each procedure’s benefits, limitations, and appropriateness for a given individual. From having the facilities and expertise for best laparoscopic surgery in Surat for liver resection to transplants; from ablation therapies to embolization techniques, the evolving field of liver cancer treatment provided at SIDS hospital offers a range of strategies to combat this formidable disease.
