Liver Cancer and Interventional Therapy

  Hepatocellular carcinoma, also known as primary liver cancer, includes hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocellular carcinoma and temperate carcinoma, of which 80-90% in China are hepatocellular carcinoma, and usually we refer to hepatocellular liver cancer. Small hepatocellular carcinoma refers to those with the diameter of a single cancer nodule or the sum of two adjacent cancer nodules less than or equal to 3cm, 80% of which have no clinical symptoms, also known as “subclinical hepatocellular carcinoma”. Those with cancer nodules larger than 10cm in diameter are called giant hepatocellular carcinoma.  Epidemiology】Hepatocellular carcinoma is a common malignant tumor in China and Guangdong Province. The disease is most common at the age of 40-49, and the ratio of men to women is 2-5:1. Etiology】 It is mainly related to hepatitis B, cirrhosis, aflatoxin contamination, drinking water contamination (algal toxins), Schistosoma chinensis infection and certain chemical substances (nitrosamines), etc.  Symptoms] There are no typical symptoms in the early stage. Most of them are in the middle and late stages when they are seen by themselves, and often have symptoms such as pain in the liver area, loss of appetite, weakness, emaciation and liver size. In recent years, if there is unexplained diarrhea and weight loss, you should be alert to the presence of liver cancer and seek medical attention in time.  Diagnosis】 Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) can be used for screening and qualitative diagnosis, and can also be detected by ultrasound, CT, MR (magnetic resonance), isotope examination, etc.  Treatment】 1.Surgical treatment is suitable for early stage of liver cancer.  2.Interventional therapy includes hepatic artery cannulation embolization therapy, percutaneous hepatic intra-tumor injection therapy and so on. It is suitable for all kinds of middle and late stage hepatocellular carcinoma.  3.Other options include freezing, microwave, heat therapy, radiofrequency, photon knife, biological therapy, Chinese medicine treatment, etc.  Prevention】 Prevention and treatment of hepatitis and cirrhosis, such as vaccination against hepatitis; pay attention to drinking water hygiene and protection of water source; good food storage and prevention of poisoning and detoxification.  How to detect early? The purpose of regular physical examination and active participation in screening is to detect small liver cancer or subclinical liver cancer early.  It is best to have regular medical checkups 1-2 times a year, and for those patients who are carriers of hepatitis B virus, or have a history of hepatitis, or have a family history of liver cancer and other high-risk patients, they should have regular medical checkups. The physical examination should include at least liver function, hepatitis virus markers, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), ultrasound, and CT and MR if available. What is interventional therapy? Interventional therapy refers to the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures such as percutaneous or transcatheter insertion of a puncture needle or introduction of a guidewire or catheter for aspiration and injection, drainage, fistula, or shaping, perfusion, or embolization of a lumen or blood vessel under the surveillance of X-ray, ultrasound, CT, etc. Minimally invasive techniques for diagnosis and treatment such as aspiration and injection, drainage, fistula, or angioplasty, perfusion, embolization, etc. As early as a few years ago, the Ministry of Health of China has listed interventional medicine as the third major medical discipline after surgery and internal medicine. Interventional therapy is widely used because of its wide indications, quick effect, little side effect and quick recovery.