For patients with mid- to late-stage hepatocellular carcinoma, the presence of ascites indicates that liver function is poor, so in this case liver-protective therapy may be indicated, and surgery may not be appropriate at this time.
In addition to nutritional support and supplementation, it is important to correct the ascites by raising the patient’s protein appropriately. If the ascites is corrected, then in the absence of significant jaundice, surgery can be evaluated. In addition, a comprehensive analysis of the size of the tumor, including the location and number, should be performed to see if surgery can be used.
If surgery is appropriate, it is best to remove the tumor, but if surgery is not indicated, then other methods of treatment, such as radiofrequency ablation or microwave therapy, including hepatoprotective antiviral therapy and hepatic artery embolization chemotherapy, may be necessary. The actual fact is that it is possible to use a comprehensive approach to treatment, so it is best to go to the relevant hospital for a detailed examination of the abdominal CT and MRI enhancements, etc., to identify the cause before treatment.