LIVER CANCER IN LATINOS

TREATMENT AND FOLLOW-UP FOR LIVER CANCER

Treatment options vary depending on age, overall health condition, and extent of cancer progression (number, size, location of tumors). Prevention and early treatment are very important to successfully treat any cancer. Unfortunately, Hispanics have been found to be more likely to have a lower income, less education, and lack health insurance, all of which are barriers to getting recommended screenings. Here are some of the following treatments for liver cancer:

• Surgery
  • Best for early stages of liver cancer
  • Removal of part (hepatectomy) or all of the liver
• Liver transplant
  • Best if tumors are small, the disease has not spread, and a suitable donor can be found
  • Donated tissue from a deceased or live donor
• Ablation
  • Procedure used when surgery is not possible due to cirrhosis or other health problems
  • Radiofrequency ablation: tiny electrodes kill cancer cells with heat
  • Percutaneous ethanol injection: alcohol is injected directly into the tumor to kill the cancer cells
• Embolization
  • Best for those who can’t have surgery or liver transplant
  • Tiny catheter inserted into the hepatic artery to block blood flow to the tumor
• Targeted therapy
  • Best for those who can’t have surgery or liver transplant
  • Drug (Sorafenib) taken by mouth to slow the growth of liver tumors
• Radiation therapy
  • Used often in combination with other treatments, and to relieve pain from liver cancer spread to the bones
  • External radiation therapy: high energy rays from a large machine aimed at the chest and abdomen
  • Internal radiation therapy: radiation comes from tiny radioactive spheres injected into the hepatic artery, thus destroying blood supply to the liver tumor
• Chemotherapy
  • Drugs used to kill cancer cells, usually given through the vein
  • May lower levels of healthy blood cells, making the patient more likely to get infections, bruise, or bleed

Many unfavorable side effects can occur from these treatments, so getting the proper nutrition, careful planning, and regular checkups with the doctor and registered nurse are very important when fighting liver cancer.