Liver Cancer Treatment in Mohali – Advanced Treatment Options by Dr. Sandeep Sharma at IRFacilities

Liver Cancer Treatment in Mohali – Advanced Treatment Options by Dr. Sandeep Sharma at IRFacilities

A diagnosis of liver cancer can be overwhelming. There are many questions that usually come up at the beginning: What type of cancer is it? Has it spread? Is surgery possible? Will chemotherapy be needed? Are there treatments that can target the tumour directly?

The answers are different for every patient. Liver cancer treatment depends on the type and stage of cancer, the size and number of tumours, liver function, overall health and whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

For patients looking for liver cancer treatment in Mohali, IRFacilities at Shivalik Hospital, Sector 69, provides image-guided interventional treatment options under the care of Dr. Sandeep Sharma, an interventional radiology specialist.

Understanding Liver Cancer

Liver cancer starts when abnormal cells in the liver begin growing uncontrollably. The most common type of primary liver cancer in adults is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Liver cancer can develop in a liver that has been affected by conditions such as cirrhosis, hepatitis B or hepatitis C. However, not everyone with liver cancer has a known history of liver disease.

Some patients may not have noticeable symptoms in the early stages. When symptoms do occur, they can include unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, abdominal discomfort, jaundice, tiredness or swelling of the abdomen.

Because these symptoms can also occur with several other conditions, proper imaging and medical evaluation are important.

Why Early Evaluation Matters

There isn't one treatment that works for every liver cancer patient. Before treatment is recommended, doctors need to understand exactly what is happening.

Depending on the situation, evaluation may include blood tests, liver function tests, ultrasound, CT scan, MRI and other investigations.

The medical team may also determine the stage of the cancer and assess how well the liver is functioning.

This information helps determine whether the patient may benefit from surgery, ablation, interventional treatment, systemic therapy, radiation, transplantation or a combination of treatments.

Liver Cancer Treatment Options

Treatment can vary considerably from one patient to another. Some of the commonly considered options include the following.

1. Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE)

TACE is an image-guided procedure used for selected liver cancers.

A thin catheter is introduced through a blood vessel, usually through a small puncture in the groin or wrist. The catheter is guided toward the artery supplying the tumour.

Chemotherapy medicine may then be delivered directly to the tumour, along with material that reduces its blood supply.

Because the treatment is delivered through the tumour's blood supply, TACE can be useful in patients for whom surgery is not the appropriate option.

2. Transarterial Radioembolization (TARE)

TARE, also known as radioembolization, is another catheter-based treatment used in selected liver cancer cases.

Tiny radioactive particles are delivered through the blood vessels supplying the tumour. The particles remain near the tumour and deliver radiation locally.

Whether TARE is appropriate depends on factors such as tumour characteristics, liver function and the patient's overall condition.

3. Microwave or Radiofrequency Ablation

For selected smaller liver tumours, thermal ablation may be considered.

A thin needle-like probe is placed into the tumour using imaging guidance. Heat generated by the probe destroys the targeted cancer cells.

Ablation is generally less invasive than open surgery, but it is not suitable for every tumour. The location, size and number of tumours all matter.

4. Surgery and Other Treatments

Some patients may be candidates for surgical removal of part of the liver. Liver transplantation may also be considered for selected patients with certain types and stages of liver cancer.

Other patients may require systemic medicines such as targeted therapy or immunotherapy.

In many cases, treatment involves more than one specialist. An oncologist, hepatologist, liver surgeon and interventional radiologist may all have a role in planning care.

Choosing a Liver Cancer Specialist in Mohali

When looking for a liver cancer doctor in Mohali, it is important to look beyond the name of a particular procedure.

Ask whether the doctor has experience with image-guided liver procedures and whether your scans will be reviewed before treatment is recommended.

A good treatment plan should be based on the individual patient's cancer, liver function and overall health.

For patients considering interventional treatment, an experienced liver cancer specialist in Mohali can explain which minimally invasive options may be suitable and whether another form of treatment should be considered.

Dr. Sandeep Sharma at IRFacilities

Dr. Sandeep Sharma (MD, DM – Interventional Neuroradiology) has more than 20 years of experience in interventional radiology and image-guided procedures.

At IRFacilities, liver-directed procedures are performed using imaging guidance to help the doctor accurately reach the blood vessels or tumour being treated.

The exact treatment depends on the patient's diagnosis and imaging findings. Not every patient will be suitable for TACE, TARE or tumour ablation, which is why an individual assessment is important before deciding on a procedure.

IRFacilities is located at Shivalik Hospital, Sector 69, Mohali.

Why Image-Guided Treatment Can Be Useful

Interventional radiology allows doctors to treat certain conditions through very small access points rather than through a large surgical incision.

For liver cancer, this can allow the treatment team to deliver therapy directly to or near the tumour in selected cases.

The potential advantages depend on the particular procedure, but may include a smaller access site, shorter hospital stay and less recovery time compared with some traditional surgical approaches.

However, minimally invasive does not mean risk-free. Every procedure has potential complications, and these should be discussed with your treating doctor before treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the most common type of liver cancer?
The most common type of primary liver cancer in adults is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It can develop in a liver affected by conditions such as cirrhosis, hepatitis B or hepatitis C, although not everyone with liver cancer has a known history of liver disease.

2. What tests are needed to evaluate liver cancer before treatment?
Evaluation may include blood tests, liver function tests, ultrasound, CT scan, MRI and other investigations. This helps the medical team determine the stage of the cancer, assess liver function, and decide whether surgery, ablation, interventional treatment, systemic therapy, radiation or transplantation may be suitable.

3. What is TACE and how does it treat liver cancer?
TACE (Transarterial Chemoembolization) is an image-guided procedure where a thin catheter is guided through a blood vessel to the artery supplying the tumour. Chemotherapy medicine is delivered directly to the tumour along with material that reduces its blood supply, making it useful for patients who aren't candidates for surgery.

4. What is the difference between TACE, TARE, and ablation?
TACE delivers chemotherapy directly to the tumour's blood supply, while TARE (radioembolization) delivers tiny radioactive particles through the tumour's blood vessels to provide localized radiation. Ablation uses a needle-like probe placed directly into the tumour to destroy cancer cells with heat, and is generally considered for selected smaller tumours. The right option depends on tumour characteristics, liver function and overall health.