Conditions we treat
Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common abdominal malignancy worldwide and one of the leading causes of death. Each year, more than 2,800 people are diagnosed with primary liver cancer in Australia. Men are roughly three times more likely than women to be affected.
There is a strong association between HCC and liver cirrhosis, which is where healthy liver cells are replaced by scar tissue and non-cancerous nodules. As liver cirrhosis progresses, the liver stops functioning properly.
What are the risk factors for developing liver cancer?
Risk factors for developing hepatocellular carcinoma include:
- Alcohol abuse
- Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C infection
- Hemochromatosis
- Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
- Adenomatosis
- Aflatoxin-exposure
What are the symptoms?
Often patients with liver cancer are asymptomatic. However, some of the common symptoms associated with liver cancer include:
- General fatigue and weakness
- Pain in the abdomen
- Swollen abdomen (due to a build-up of fluid)
- Jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes)
- Pale bowel motions (white stool)
- Loss of appetite and nausea
- Pain in the right shoulder
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fever
What are my treatment options?
The indication and decision for treating hepatocellular carcinoma is based on the general condition of the liver and the specific presentation of the tumour. It is widely accepted that patients benefit from a multidisciplinary team approach when treating hepatocellular carcinoma. This team consists of a hepatologist, interventional radiologist and surgeon. In order for patients to receive optimal treatment, case discussion at multidisciplinary team meetings is of vital importance.
Treatment options include:
Radiofrequency Ablation: uses the heat generated from high-frequency radio waves and microwaves to destroy cancer cells. This is mainly for small, primary tumours.
Surgery: this can involve removing part of the liver or a liver transplant. It is suitable for a small portion of individuals with liver cancer and suitability depends on size, number, and location of the tumours. Removing part of the liver is referred to as a partial hepatectomy.
Radiation Therapy: selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) uses tiny radioactive beads that are released into the liver, blocking blood supply to the tumour, and delivering high-dose radiation.
Chemotherapy: depending on the type of liver cancer, chemotherapy drugs can be used to kill, shrink, or slow the growth of tumours. This may be used following other treatments.
Transarterial Chemoembolisation (TACE): a form of chemotherapy that directly targets the tumour and delivers chemotherapy. It is commonly used for primary liver cancer. Read more about TACE here.