WHO calls liver cancer the fifth most common cancer in the world, and this type of cancer ranks second in terms of mortality among male patients. The problem lies in the rapid progression of a malignant tumor and since patients ignore main risk factors. Cancer centers in Israel are implementing the most advanced methods of cancer treatment, including liver cancer, on average five years earlier than in the rest of the world. This gives patients a great chance of survival and full recovery, even in the serious stages of the disease.
Risk factors
The peculiarity of liver cancer in its wide age range. It affects both elderly people and infants. However, people over the age of 50 and mostly men are more susceptible to the disease. Oncologists attribute this to the large amount of alcohol consumed in comparison with women. In addition to subjective age and gender, there are also more specific risk factors.
- Chronic hepatitis B and C (HBV and HCV).
- Cirrhosis caused by excessive alcohol consumption, hepatitis, and the accumulation of iron in liver tissues.
- Anabolic steroids. These drugs are often used by athletes to stimulate the development of muscle mass and increase endurance.
- Aflatoxin poisoning. These are carcinogenic toxins that are released by a special type of fungi that live in favorable conditions on cereals and legumes, including soy and peanuts.
- Hemochromatosis is a hereditary disease that leads to excessive accumulation of iron in the liver, followed by the development of cirrhosis.
At the same time, the disease itself and the causes of its occurrence are not thoroughly studied. One type of liver cancer, hepatoma, affects adolescents and young adults who have never consumed alcohol, do not have hepatitis, and have led a relatively healthy lifestyle. That is why Israeli oncologists insist on regular preventive examinations, including ultrasound and blood tests.
Symptoms of liver cancer
- Abdominal pain and / or bloating, especially on the right side.
- Causeless nausea and vomiting.
- Loss of appetite.
- Constantly elevated body temperature.
- Jaundice – yellowing of the whites of the eyes and skin, darkening of the urine and lightening of the stool.
As with most types of cancer, liver cancer is characterized by causeless sharp weight loss and severe fatigue, even with minimal physical exertion.
Diagnostics
- Laboratory blood tests for alpha-fetoprotein protein (AFP) and the presence of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA).
- Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography (CT, MRI, and PET).
- Ultrasound examination (US);
- Liver tissue biopsy.
Even during a routine physical examination, the doctor can detect abdominal signs of a malignant tumor.
Treatment of liver cancer
Israeli clinics use the most advanced methods of cancer treatment, including highly effective non-surgical or minimally invasive techniques.
- Cryotherapy – destruction of cancer cells under the influence of extreme cold (-90…-150°C).
- Radiofrequency ablation is the destruction of a tumor by heating it to 100°C with electrode needles.
- Targeted drugs are drugs that attack exclusively cancer cells at the molecular level.
- Chemoembolization and ethanol injections – unlike chemotherapy, this technique involves injecting drugs directly into the tumor.
- Biotherapy (immunotherapy) with drugs that stimulate white blood cells to actively fight cancer cells in the liver.
- Selective internal radiotherapy (SIRT) is the insertion of radioactive particles that are harmful to the tumor through the artery.
- Stereotactic radiation therapy (SBRT / SABR).
- Minimally invasive surgical removal of a liver tumor using a Da Vinci robot surgeon.
The high level of service and climate in Israel are favourable for patients’ fast and comfortable recovery after a course of liver cancer treatment.