What is early stage liver cancer and advanced liver cancer?

What is early stage liver cancer and advanced liver cancer?

Early-stage liver cancer, also known as small or subclinical liver cancer, is defined as a single cancer nodule with a maximum diameter of no more than 3 cm, and multiple cancer nodules of no more than two nodules with a combined maximum diameter of less than 3 cm.

If the tumor is large with extrahepatic metastases and vascular invasion, it is called advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

Treatment and prognosis of early and advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

The prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma depends on the ability to diagnose early and treat early.

Once liver cancer is diagnosed, a reasonable individualized treatment plan for liver cancer should be selected based on the size and location of the tumor, the presence or absence of metastases inside and outside the liver, and the patient’s systemic condition.

Patients with small tumor size, intact envelope, no cancer embolism and metastasis and complete surgical resection usually have a better prognosis.

Mid- to late-stage liver cancer can also significantly extend its survival time if it actively receives comprehensive treatment such as intervention, radiotherapy, and targeted therapy.

If the patient has severe cirrhosis, severe loss of liver function, and poor general physical status, supportive therapy is the mainstay.

In conclusion, the most appropriate treatment should be chosen according to the patient’s physical condition, the state of liver function, and the tumor.