EN
Liver cancer is a malignant tumorous process that occurs in 7% of all cancer patients. In its origin, the tumor is primary and secondary. Primary liver cancer develops from the tissues of the organ itself, while the secondary cancer is a cancerous metastasis to the liver from another organ or tissue.
The operation is the main method of treatment for this disease. However, the treatment plan will depend on the stage of cancer in first place. This means that if the tumor has not managed to spread beyond the foci, and the patient has no contraindications only then an operation is prescribed. If cancer has been metastasized to the liver, the operation can be performed, depending on the primary diagnosis of cancer. That is, in the case of metastatic liver cancer, the operation can not be performed if the primary cancer is in the last stage. In such a scenario palliative treatment is prescribed to relieve symptoms.
READ IN THE ARTICLE:
Preparing for an operation
The course of surgery for liver cancer
Life after surgery, prognosis
The cost of surgery for liver cancer
Testimonial about liver tumor surgery
PREPARING FOR AN OPERATION
The first stage of preparation for liver cancer surgery is a thorough diagnostic examination. Its aim is to exclude contraindications to surgery for example liver failure. Prescribing instrumental and laboratory diagnostics:
- CT and MRI scans;
- ECG;
- Biochemical blood test (incl. coagulation test).
Two weeks before surgery for liver cancer, patient needs to follow certain prescriptions:
- Exclude alcohol from the diet;
- Refusal to take drugs that dilute blood;
- To give up smoking;
- Follow the diet prescribed by the doctor (the correction of protein,fats and carbohydrates is adjusted, the blood sugar level is optimized);
- Stop concomitant diseases (jaundice);
- Detoxification is carried out.
8 hours before the procedure, patient should give up water, so as not to interrupt the action of the operational anesthesia. A cleansing enema is also assigned to the patient before surgery.
THE COURSE OF SURGERY FOR LIVER CANCER
Liver cancer surgery can be of several kinds:
1. Liver resection is a traditional intervention in which a surgeon cuts out a tumor and nearby tissue. Due to the ability of the body to quickly regenerate, the removed portion of the liver is restored within few months. The operation for liver cancer can be performed with both open access and laparoscopically;
2. Liver transplantation is performed only in the first two stages of cancer and in the absence of contraindications. Transplantation is possible only from a living related donor with a sufficient degree of compatibility. The patient can give up either the affected part of the liver or the entire liver while from the donor liver up to 50% can be taken – depending on the physiological parameters;
3. Radioembolization of a tumor or SIRT method – is the introduction of tiny glass or resin beads with radioactive substance into the artery that feeds the tumor. The radioactive substance yttrium-90, reaching into the organ together with the blood stream hence irradiates the tumor;
4. Ablation is a bloodless method of treating cancer through the destruction of malignant cells by exposure to radio frequencies or low temperatures. Used in the presence of contraindications to traditional intervention and in addition to other methods.
On the day of surgery the patient is given an enema and injected with anesthesia. Life functions during the operation are supported by special apparatus. The operating field is disinfected, the puncture site is determined (most often the operation is performed with the help of minimally invasive techniques that do not require incisions).
The abdominal cavity is filled with a special gas, an endoscope with a camera is inserted. The picture of what is happening is displayed on the screen. Thus, a team of surgeons in real time can control the smallest movements of surgical instruments.
After the end of resection (ablation), the seams are superimposed. In case of a liver transplant, two teams of doctors work simultaneously – with the donor and with the recipient. This intervention lasts about 10 hours on average.
POST-OPERATIONAL PERIOD
After the operation for liver cancer the first day (or several days – depending on the severity of the intervention) the patient is in the intensive care unit. During this time, the doctors monitor his condition, because the risk of occurrence of postoperative complications is great.
However, the procedure in a foreign clinic significantly reduces the possibility of complications. Within few weeks after the intervention, the patient should follow the diet prescribed by the doctor.
It is also necessary to take anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications. In the case of a liver transplant, the recipient is also prescribed immunosuppressors to avoid organ rejection.
PROGNOSIS AFTER SURGERY
No doctor can answer the question of how much a person can live after the operation with liver cancer. The life expectancy of a patient depends on many factors – the stage of the disease, the quality and timeliness of the treatment, the general physical condition of the patient. Given a timely intervention at the zeroth and first stages, a 5-year survival rate can be as high as 50% to 90%.
COST OF SURGERY FOR LIVER CANCER
The price of surgery for liver cancer is very different, depending on the method and the chosen clinic. Thus, liver resection in Turkish and Indian hospitals will cost from $ 10,000 to $ 15,000. Transplantation in India will cost $ 39,000 – $ 45,000, while in Turkey the price will be $ 60,000 – $ 75,000.
German clinics conduct operations for liver cancer, costing from € 17,000 and transplantation – from € 250,000. The price of an operation for liver cancer in Israeli clinics starts from $ 23.000 and organ transplantation will cost $ 178,000 – $ 200,000.
TESTIMONIAL ABOUT OPERATION ON LIVER CANCER
“We arrived with my husband for diagnostics in India. Doctors diagnosed him with liver cancer and insisted on an urgent operation. We made radiofrequency ablation – this is when the tumor is destroyed by ultrasound. The usual surgical intervention to my husband was contraindicated, because doctors found out that he has liver failure. My husband was even glad that the liver will not be resected. We were struck by Indian doctors with their well-coordinated operational work. Do not believe when they tell you that India is bad in medicine – everything is at the highest level! “
