The treatment modalities adopted for primary liver cancer differ depending on the stage. While maximizing the elimination of tumor, we should maximize the protection of the organism, with prolonging survival time and improving survival quality as the primary goal and evaluation index of treatment.
Treatment specifications for primary liver cancer
According to China’s “Diagnostic and Treatment Standards for Primary Liver Cancer (2017)”, the diagnosis and treatment of liver cancer need to take into account the patient’s tumor status, liver function status, and physical fitness status.
Tumor status
Including the size of the liver tumor, the number of tumors, whether there is vascular invasion, and whether there are distant metastases.
Liver function status
The Child-Pugh grading method of liver function was used to score patients according to their total bilirubin level, albumin level, degree of prolonged prothrombin time, presence of hepatic encephalopathy, and ascites status.
- 5 to 6 points: Child-Pugh class A;
- 7~9 points: Child-Pugh class B;
- 10~15 points: Child-Pugh Class C.
Physical Performance Status
Using the PS (performance status) scoring method:
- 0: Perfectly normal mobility;
- 1: free to walk and perform light work, including general household or office work, but not heavy physical activity;
- 2: free to walk and perform light work, including general household or office work, but not heavy physical activity;
- 2 points: able to walk freely and live on their own, but have lost the ability to work, and can get up and move around at least half the time during the day;
- 3 points: only partially able to take care of themselves, bedridden or wheelchair-bound for more than half of the day;
- 4 points: bedridden or wheelchair-bound for more than half of the day;
- 4 points: bedridden and unable to care for himself/herself;
- 5 points: death.
Treatment of primary liver cancer
Treatment for primary liver cancer includes: liver transplantation, liver resection, radiofrequency ablation, interventional therapy, radiation therapy, molecular targeted drug therapy, systemic chemotherapy, and supportive therapy.
Each treatment method has its indications and contraindications, advantages and disadvantages, therapeutic effects and corresponding side effects. The choice of hepatocellular carcinoma treatment varies from person to person, from disease to disease, and from patient to patient depending on how the disease has changed as a result of previous treatment.
In addition to treatment of the tumor, anti-hepatitis virus therapy, liver protection therapy, and symptomatic support therapy for patients with liver cancer need to be taken into account.
Only by tailoring the optimal personalized plan to the patient’s specific situation can we achieve the best results in prolonging survival.