Liver Cancer
Primary liver cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the liver. Cancer that forms in other parts of the body and spreads to the liver is not primary liver cancer. The liver is one of the largest organs in the body. It has two lobes and fills the upper right side of the abdomen inside the rib cage.
General Information About Adult Primary Liver Cancer
KEY POINTS
- Adult primary liver cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the liver.
- There are two types of adult primary liver cancer.
- Having hepatitis or cirrhosis can affect the risk of adult primary liver cancer.
- Signs and symptoms of adult primary liver cancer include a lump or pain on the right side.
- Tests that examine the liver and the blood are used to detect (find) and diagnose adult primary liver cancer.
- Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.
Read the full article on the National Cancer Institute website.
General Information About Bile Duct Cancer
KEY POINTS
- Bile duct cancer is a rare disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the bile ducts.
- Having colitis or certain liver diseases can increase the risk of bile duct cancer.
- Signs of bile duct cancer include jaundice and pain in the abdomen.
- Tests that examine the bile ducts and nearby organs are used to detect (find), diagnose, and stage bile duct cancer.
- Different procedures may be used to obtain a sample of tissue and diagnose bile duct cancer.
- Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.
Read the full article on the National Cancer Institute website.
Non-standard treatment options
Histotripsy
Source: The University of Chicago Medical Center
Treating Liver Tumors with Sound Waves
Histotripsy is an innovative, non-invasive treatment for liver tumors that uses a robotic machine to target and destroy cancer tissue with ultra-precise sound waves. It’s a powerful tool for doctors to treat certain tumors without any needles, radiation or surgery, even allowing most patients to go home the same day.
The University of Chicago Medicine has been involved for years in bringing histotripsy technology to patients, including conducting some of the earliest clinical trials and being among the first medical systems in the country to offer the treatment following FDA approval. As early adopters, our doctors have deep expertise with the procedure, allowing them to deliver the highest level of care.
Continue reading at The University of Chicago Medical Center
Coleys Toxins
The last recorded successful application of the toxin was in China in 1980 as a primary therapy for the treatment of terminal liver cancer. The patient received 68 injections of Coley’s toxin during the 34 weeks of therapy. After this procedure, the symptoms disappeared completely.
Propranolol
This study says: In conclusion, this study revealed that propranolol could improve OS in patients with unresectable/metastatic HCC [liver cancer]. Propranolol could not only lower the risk of variceal bleeding and HCC development in patients with cirrhotic livers but also lower the mortality risk in those with advanced HCC.
Page updated 2024