LIVER CANCER TREATMENT

Advancements in genome science are helping oncologists develop targeted liver cancer treatments to combat this disease that is on the rise in both men and women. According to the American Cancer Society, incidence of liver cancer has tripled since 1980. Personalized Hematology-Oncology is leading the field in genetic testing and personalized targeted cancer treatment, providing patients with a tailored treatment plan to fight cancer of the liver and intrahepatic bile duct.

Liver cancer is more prevalent in other parts of the world than it is in the United States, but still, more than 40,000 cases are diagnosed each year in this country. The liver performs many important functions, from converting nutrients and drugs into chemicals the human body can use to removing toxins and other waste from blood. Since all of the blood in the body must pass through the liver, it is much more accessible to cancer cells traveling in the bloodstream. Cancer that starts in the liver (hepatic cancer), is much rarer compared to cancer that spreads to the liver from elsewhere (liver metastasis).

Individuals that have chronic hepatitis B or C are at an increased risk to develop liver cancer, and those who have both face an even greater risk. High alcohol use is also a common risk factors for this disease. Both hepatitis C and alcoholism can lead to cirrhosis, a disease in which scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue, further increasing a patient’s risk.

There are many different types of cancer that can affect the liver; therefore, the signs and symptoms can vary greatly.

Symptoms of Liver Cancer

• Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin)
• Abdominal pain, especially in the upper right abdomen
• Abdominal mass
• Enlarged liver
• Sweating
• Itching
• Back Pain
• Anemia
• Weight loss
• Fever

There is no standard or routine test for liver cancer, and detection can vary based on the symptoms and a variety of tests a doctor may perform. Physicians typically use a combination of blood tests to check liver function, CT scans or MRIs of the liver, and a biopsy of the affected liver tissue.

At Personalized Hematology-Oncology, we know that treating liver cancer takes a very personalized approach. Our experts in chemotherapy, targeted molecular therapies, genome science and infusion administration work together to create gene expression profiles of the tumor to determine the best drugs and treatment options for the specific cancer type.