Treatment Options
Surgery
Removing the part of the liver that has cancer is only possible if the cancer is detected early enough and has not spread to the blood vessels or outside the liver.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy involves using drugs to kill the cancer cells. The drugs are usually injected into a vein where they enter the bloodstream and are carried throughout the body.
Targeted Oral Therapy
If chemotherapy is not effective and the patient also cannot undergo surgery, health care providers may treat the patient with targeted oral therapies (pills taken by mouth).
Radiation Therapy
Radiation may be an option for some people who cannot have surgery.
Ablation
Ablation involves destroying the tumor using 100% alcohol, high-energy radio waves, or freezing techniques. Ablation is used in patients who have only a few small tumors but who cannot undergo surgery.
Embolization
Embolization blocks the hepatic artery, which is the primary source of blood to the liver cancer tumor. This technique is used when the tumor is too large for surgery or ablation.
Liver Transplants
A liver transplant is a treatment option for patients with liver cancer tumors that have not spread outside the liver or into the blood vessels and cannot be surgically or medically removed.
Deciding on the Right Treatment
Before your treatment starts, you and your health care team should discuss treatment choices. The right treatment for you depends on several factors. Read more…
Additional Information
National Cancer Institute: Treatment Option Overview
American Cancer Society: General Treatment Information
American Society of Clinical Oncology: Liver Cancer - Treatment