What is liver cancer?
Liver cancer is a malignant tumor localized in the liver. Neoplasm is derived from the liver cells (primary cancer) or is a metastasis of a tumor located in another organ (secondary cancer).
The liver tumor itself is diagnosed in rare cases; mostly it is represented by metastasis from another organ.
How to choose the best liver cancer hospital in the world?
The best liver cancer treatment centers are located in Germany, Israel, Korea, Thailand, India, etc. Most of them work according to strict international treatment protocols. It guarantees that medical procedures are performed at the highest level.
While choosing the best hospital for liver cancer, take into account such factors:
- Liver treatment centers’ accreditation. Choose the hospitals which are accredited at the international level. For instance, JCI (Joint Commission International) certificate confirms the compliance of medical centers with the world standards.
Experience of liver cancer specialist. Learn CV of a doctor who will develop the liver cancer treatment plan. A specialist needs to have certificates and practices in top liver cancer centers. Reviews of the patients can also give information about the doctor’s professionalism.
Treatment options applied in the best hospitals for liver cancer. Leading centers offer a wide range of procedures to treat liver cancer. In most cases, a combination of therapies is used.
The liver cancer treatment cost. The high price is not an indicator of quality in top liver cancer centers. For instance, in Turkey or India it is possible to receive the best treatment for liver cancer 30-50% cheaper than in Germany or Korea. The deal is all the best liver cancer treatment centers work according to the same treatment protocols, but the price police in the countries differs.
Best treatment options for liver cancer
What is the best treatment for liver cancer is possible to determine only after the complete diagnostics.
Liver cancer is a quite specific oncological disease, and the therapies are chosen only individually for each case.
The diagnostic procedures include:
- blood tests
- imaging tests (ultrasound, CT, MRI or PET-CT)
- biopsy (removing a liver tissue sample).
The diagnostics takes about 3-5 days.
A doctor detects all features of the patient health condition: cancer stage, primary or secondary cases, age and comorbid condition. Then such the best treatment for liver cancer option can be applied:
Surgery
- Liver resection. A doctor can prescribe liver resection (removal of the affected part with cancer). This procedure is possible to be performed in case of primary non-metastatic liver cancer. The resected area recovers to the normal size within several months. Liver resection supposes hospitalization for 2 days with outpatient stay up to 5-6 days.
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Liver resection scheme; DH - diseased hemiliver, FLR - future liver remnant.
- Liver transplant. Non-metastatic liver cancer can be cured applying this surgery. It is one of the most effective methods with 5-year survival in 74% of cases.
Localized treatment options
Liver treatment centers offer so-called localized treatments. They are administered directly to cancerous cells. Among them are:
- Radiofrequency ablation. Cancer cells are heated up to 90 °С with radiofrequency electric current and then are destroyed. A doctor inserts the needles through the small incisions in the abdomen and reaches the tumor. The procedure is conducted under the ultrasound or CT control.
- Cryoablation is destroying a tumor with the extreme cold. A doctor places the special instrument (cryoprobe) directly into a liver tumor. The cryoprobe contains liquid nitrogen freezing affected cells. The operation is conducted under control of ultrasound.
- Chemoembolization is available in the best liver cancer treatment centers. It is a type of chemotherapy than anti-cancer medicines are placed directly in the liver without affecting healthy tissues.
SIRT-therapy is an internal radiation therapy. Microscopic particles with Yttrium-90 are inserted through the liver artery to reach tumor tissue. The targeted irradiation destroys liver cancer cells.
Alcohol injection into the tumor. A doctor inserts pure alcohol directly into liver tumors through the skin before or during the operation. Alcohol causes the death of tumor cells.
Palliative therapy
Palliative therapy is applied to relieve pain and other symptoms of liver cancer.
The palliative therapy may consist of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. It helps to improve quality of life and prolong life expectancy.
Best liver treatment with Bookimed
Submit a request on Bookimed to receive calculation and the cost of treatment options in the chosen hospital within 3 days.
Our Medical Doctor will answer all your questions and assist in the medical trip arrangement.
Bookimed Coordinator stays in touch with you during the whole period of treatment.
Bookimed services are free for patients.
