VPS Lakeshore Hospital, National Highway 66, Nettoor, Maradu, Kochi, Kerala, India
Liver Cancer Care Programme
Overview
Liver cancer care unit at CLCI is counted as the best liver cancer care program amongst Asia’s premier exclusive cancer centres that offer unique advantage of cutting-edge technology, put to use by renowned super specialists. This potent combination of man and machine ensures world-class liver cancer care to not only patients from India but also from the neighbouring countries. Patients with liver cancer often require a combination of treatments. At CLCI, all patients receive a personalized treatment plan crafted by a multidisciplinary team which includes highly talented nationally and internationally acclaimed clinicians from fields in oncology, interventional radiology, surgery, radiation oncology, and hepatology. Through collaboration, our specialists are able to create a comprehensive and individualized approach to care. Liver cancer is the 3rd most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. There are two types of primary liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which is most common, and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), also known as bile duct cancer. Having hepatitis B or hepatitis C is the most common risk factor for liver cancer. Other important risk factors include:
- Metabolic Syndrome
- Obesity
- Diabetes
It is predicted that these three common, yet less recognized, risk factors will cause liver cancer cases to increase over the next two decades. Screening of individuals with these risk factors is important. Liver cancer is detected and diagnosed by tests that examine the liver and blood. Factors including the stage of the cancer and the patient’s overall health affect prognosis and treatment options. Children can also be affected by liver cancer and hepatoblastoma is the most common liver cancer in this population.
Symptoms
Most people don't have signs and symptoms in the early stages of primary liver cancer. When signs and symptoms do appear, they may include:
- Losing weight without trying
- Loss of appetite
- Upper abdominal pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- General weakness and fatigue
- Abdominal swelling
- Yellow discoloration of your skin and the whites of your eyes (jaundice)
- White, chalky stools
Procedures we perform for hepatopancreaticobiliary cancers
VPS LAKESHORE HOSPITAL- THE BEST LIVER SURGERY CENTRE IN KOCHI, KERALA
- Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT)
- Robotic liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, colorectal liver metastasis and other liver tumours
- Gallbladder cancer surgeries
- Trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE)
- Microwave ablation (MWA)
- Immunotherapy
- Deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT)
- Laparoscopic liver resection
- Pancreatic surgeries- Whipple procedure
- Trans-arterial radioembolization (TARE)
- External beam radiotherapy- (EBRT)
Prevention
Reduce your risk of cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver, and it increases the risk of liver cancer. You can reduce your risk of cirrhosis if you:
- Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all. If you choose to drink alcohol, limit the amount you drink. For women, this means no more than one drink a day. For men, this means no more than two drinks a day.
- Maintain a healthy weight. If your current weight is healthy, work to maintain it by choosing a healthy diet and exercising most days of the week. If you need to lose weight, reduce the number of calories you eat each day and increase the amount of exercise you do. Aim to lose weight slowly — 1 or 2 pounds (0.5 to 1 kilograms) each week.
Get vaccinated against hepatitis B
You can reduce your risk of hepatitis B by receiving the hepatitis B vaccine. The vaccine can be given to almost anyone, including infants, older adults and those with compromised immune systems.
Take measures to prevent hepatitis C
No vaccine for hepatitis C exists, but you can reduce your risk of infection.
- Know the health status of any sexual partner. Don't engage in unprotected sex unless you're certain your partner isn't infected with HBV, HCV or any other sexually transmitted infection. If you don't know the health status of your partner, use a condom every time you have sexual intercourse.
- Don't use intravenous (IV) drugs, but if you do, use a clean needle. Reduce your risk of HCV by not injecting illegal drugs. But if that isn't an option for you, make sure any needle you use is sterile, and don't share it. Contaminated drug paraphernalia is a common cause of hepatitis C infection. Take advantage of needle-exchange programs in your community and consider seeking help for your drug use.
- Seek safe, clean shops when getting a piercing or tattoo. Needles that may not be properly sterilized can spread the hepatitis C virus. Before getting a piercing or tattoo, check out the shops in your area and ask staff members about their safety practices. If employees at a shop refuse to answer your questions or don't take your questions seriously, take that as a sign that the facility isn't right for you.
Seek treatment for hepatitis B or C infection
Treatments are available for hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections. Research shows that treatment can reduce the risk of liver cancer.
Ask your doctor about liver cancer screening
For the general population, screening for liver cancer hasn't been proved to reduce the risk of dying of liver cancer, and it isn't generally recommended. People with conditions that increase the risk of liver cancer might consider screening, such as people who have:
- Hepatitis B infection
- Hepatitis C infection
- Liver cirrhosis
Discuss the pros and cons of screening with your doctor. Together you can decide whether screening is right for you based on your risk. Screening typically involves a blood test and an abdominal ultrasound exam every six months.