Chemotherapy For Liver Cancer

Chemotherapy is a therapeutic approach employed in the treatment of cancer, which entails the administration of potent anti-cancer medications either orally or through intravenous means. While chemotherapy can be utilized for liver cancer, it is important to note that many chemotherapy agents are frequently ineffective against this specific type of malignancy. 

How Does Chemotherapy Work in Liver Cancer?

For treating liver cancer through chemotherapy it primarily involves the use of cytotoxic drugs to target and kill the rapidly growing cancer cells in the body. This can be administered directly into the bloodstream or use a special method such as the hepatic artery infusion (HAI), depending on the condition and the circumstances of the individual. Remember that while chemotherapy can be helpful in shrinking the tumors and controlling the symptoms it is not that often used in treating liver cancer. 

When is Chemotherapy Used for Liver Cancer?

The administration of chemotherapy for liver cancer is mainly considered when surgical options are not viable or when the disease shows resistance to other localized treatments. Your healthcare provider may present this option, as it can serve as an adjunct therapy to reduce tumor size prior to surgery, to prevent cancer recurrence, or to alleviate symptoms in advanced stages.

Chemotherapy For Liver Cancer

In many cases, chemotherapy is not used in treating liver cancer. This is primarily due to the fact that symptoms frequently do not manifest until the cancer has progressed, making treatment challenging.

For early-stage liver cancer, a physician may suggest surgical intervention or a transplant. This method of tumor removal has the potential to eliminate all cancerous cells.

However, these strategies become ineffective when the cancer metastasizes to other regions of the body. In such cases, a physician may propose chemotherapy as an alternative treatment. The cost of chemotherapy for liver cancer can range between 850 USD to 2000 USD per cycle. 

Patients diagnosed with liver cancer can receive chemotherapy through three distinct methods:

• Systemic chemotherapy involves the administration of drugs via a vein, such as in the arm. This allows the medications to circulate throughout the body, targeting cancer cells in areas beyond the liver.
• Regional chemotherapy, on the other hand, entails delivering drugs directly into an artery that supplies the tumor-affected area.
• Hepatic artery infusion (HAI) is a specific form of regional therapy. In this procedure, a physician administers drugs directly into the hepatic artery. Research indicates that HAI may be effective in reducing tumor size.

While most chemotherapy regimens do not provide a cure for liver cancer, recent developments suggest that a combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy may significantly slow tumor progression and enhance patient survival.

Note: Among the drugs that have demonstrated some efficacy in treating liver cancer are cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, and doxorubicin; however, these agents typically result in the reduction of only a limited number of liver tumors.

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Side Effects of Liver Cancer Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy agents are designed to target rapidly proliferating cancer cells; however, they also impact other healthy cells in the body that divide at a fast rate, including those found in the intestinal and oral linings, bone marrow, and hair follicles. The influence of chemotherapy on these healthy cells can result in various side effects. The specific side effects experienced by a patient will vary based on the type and dosage of chemotherapy administered, but common effects include:

– Nausea and vomiting

– Diarrhea

– Hair loss

– Mouth sores

– Decreased appetite

Moreover, chemotherapy can also affect healthy white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets, which may lead to an elevated risk of infections, increased fatigue, and a tendency to bruise or bleed easily, respectively.

Also Read:- Top 10 Chemotherapy Hospitals in India

A Note From Medsurge India

Receiving a diagnosis of liver cancer can be profoundly distressing. However, it is important to recognize that advancements in treatment and ongoing research offer hope for survival. While chemotherapy is not typically regarded as a definitive cure for liver cancer, it can effectively target cancer cells, reduce tumor size, and impede tumor progression.

Although chemotherapy may not always yield positive results for liver cancer, innovative strategies—such as combining immunotherapy with chemotherapy—have shown promise, potentially shrinking tumors and halting their growth in up to 80% of patients. This combined approach may also contribute to an extended lifespan for individuals affected by the disease.

Surgical intervention or transplantation remains the only method capable of completely excising a tumor. Patients diagnosed at an early stage may experience favorable outcomes if they are eligible for these treatment options.