Targeted drug therapy is a new breakthrough in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in recent years and an indispensable part of the comprehensive treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Targeted drug therapy is a new breakthrough in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in recent years, and is also an integral part of the comprehensive treatment of liver cancer. Targeted therapy means that the drug will work on the “target”, which is the liver tumor. Targeted drugs will only work on liver tumors, but will not kill normal cells like chemotherapy.
The principle of action is: firstly, targeted drugs will inhibit the tumor from producing new blood vessels, which will slow down the growth of tumor without blood supply and nutrition source; secondly, targeted drugs will accelerate the apoptosis of tumor cells.
The following patients are suitable for the use of targeted drugs.
First, patients with lymph node metastasis, because liver cancer cells may metastasize to other organs or tissues in the body through lymphatic vessels.
Second, patients whose blood vessels are invaded by the tumor, such patients have a higher possibility of recurrence after surgery and a poorer long-term prognosis.
Thirdly, patients with positive cut edges of surgical resections. Because tumor cells are found at the edge of the resected material, indicating that the surgery is not clean.
fourth, patients with postoperative recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma, when the patient’s condition may be more serious than the previous one
Fifth, patients with high postoperative alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). This indicates that the tumor in the patient’s body is highly dangerous.
In the past, targeted drugs were only used for patients whose tumors could not be removed, but now, I recommend that patients who can be operated or after surgery can also take targeted drugs, which is still helpful to improve the survival rate of patients.
It is important to emphasize that targeted drugs and chemotherapy drugs act at different points, so they cannot replace each other, but the two can form a complementary, combined use will be more effective.
Targeted drugs are more effective, but they are not “miracle drugs”. There is no clear conclusion yet on how much it can improve the survival of patients, but in general the efficacy is still optimistic.
Targeted drugs also have certain side effects, but they are generally mild and can be used for symptomatic treatment to relieve symptoms. The most common side effect is diarrhea, if diarrhea occurs, take some antidiarrheal drugs can be; the next is molting, patients can apply some cream containing vitamin E; some patients may have the adverse reaction of increased blood pressure, such patients can consult the doctor how to take antihypertensive drugs.
After taking targeted drugs, imaging evaluation should be done once every three months, usually CT or MRI, after the stabilization period, ultrasound can be used instead to observe the effect after taking targeted drugs. If it is ineffective, it is necessary to stop the drug in time to reduce the side effects of the drug, and to reduce the financial burden of the patient, because the cost of targeted drugs is relatively high.
The principle of action is: firstly, targeted drugs will inhibit the tumor from generating new blood vessels, so the tumor will have no blood supply and lose the source of nutrition, and the growth rate will be slowed down; secondly, targeted drugs will accelerate the apoptosis of tumor cells.
The following patients are suitable for the use of targeted drugs.
First, patients with lymph node metastasis, because liver cancer cells may metastasize to other organs or tissues in the body through lymphatic vessels.
Second, patients whose blood vessels are invaded by the tumor, such patients have a higher possibility of recurrence after surgery and a poorer long-term prognosis.
Thirdly, patients with positive cut edges of surgical resections. Because tumor cells are found at the edge of the resected material, indicating that the surgery is not clean.
fourth, patients with postoperative recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma, when the patient’s condition may be more serious than the previous one
Fifth, patients with high postoperative alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). This indicates that the tumor in the patient’s body is highly dangerous.
In the past, targeted drugs were only used for patients whose tumors could not be removed, but now, I recommend that patients who can be operated or after surgery can also take targeted drugs, which is still helpful to improve the survival rate of patients.
It is important to emphasize that targeted drugs and chemotherapy drugs act at different points, so they cannot replace each other, but the two can form a complementary, combined use will be more effective.
Targeted drugs are more effective, but they are not “miracle drugs”. There is no clear conclusion yet on how much it can improve the survival of patients, but in general the efficacy is still optimistic.
Targeted drugs also have certain side effects, but they are generally mild and can be used for symptomatic treatment to relieve symptoms. The most common side effect is diarrhea, if diarrhea occurs, take some antidiarrheal drugs can be; the next is molting, patients can apply some cream containing vitamin E; some patients may have the adverse reaction of increased blood pressure, such patients can consult the doctor how to take antihypertensive drugs.
After taking targeted drugs, imaging evaluation should be done once every three months, usually CT or MRI, after the stabilization period, ultrasound can be used instead to observe the effect after taking targeted drugs. If it is not effective, the drug should be stopped in time to reduce the side effects of the drug, and to reduce the financial burden of the patient, because the cost of targeted drugs is relatively high.