Recently, Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital (HCMUMH) received and treated a patient with TTA (45 years old, residing in HCMC).
Mr. A. was admitted to the hospital with pain in the right hypochondrium with a history of hepatitis B virus. At the Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the doctor performed an ultrasound and discovered a large tumor with a diameter of over 10cm, and at the same time, cancer indicators such as PIVKA II and AFP were also very high. The patient then underwent laparoscopic liver resection surgery, with good recovery results, and continued to be monitored periodically after surgery.
How to prevent and diagnose liver cancer early?
Associate Professor, Dr. Bui Huu Hoang - Head of the Department of Gastroenterology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, said that Vietnam is in the epidemic area of hepatitis B and C with the rate of new liver cancer cases being 26,418 cases per year. Among cancers, liver cancer is considered the "top killer" with 25,272 deaths, accounting for 21% of total deaths from all types of cancer.
To prevent liver cancer, it is necessary to focus on risk subjects to detect early and treat liver disease promptly. Among them, people with chronic liver disease are at high risk of liver cancer such as: chronic hepatitis B, chronic hepatitis C, cirrhosis of any cause. In addition, people with long-term fatty liver, type 2 diabetes, genetic liver disease, Aflatoxin poisoning, Dioxin, heavy smoking, ... are also at very high risk of liver cancer.
Regular screening for liver cancer is considered a practical solution that can help patients detect abnormalities in the body early. Liver cancer from the time it first forms until it goes through the progression stage often takes a long time, so regular monitoring every 6 months with abdominal ultrasound and AFP in high-risk subjects will help detect early when the tumor is less than 2cm. This is considered a golden opportunity for treatment.
Currently, combining abdominal ultrasound with the AFP, AFP-L3, and PIVKA II tests increases the value of early and accurate diagnosis of liver cancer.
In addition, the doctor may prescribe additional contrast-enhanced CT scans, MRI scans, etc. for more detailed diagnosis depending on the patient's case.
Liver Cancer - Which Treatment Option is Right for You?
Dr. Tran Cong Duy Long, Deputy Head of the Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Head of the Hepatobiliary Cancer and Liver Transplantation Unit, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, said that if the patient detects liver cancer at an early stage when the tumor is still small, the minimally invasive, gentle but highly effective treatment method is local tumor ablation (tumor ablation with high frequency waves or microwaves). In cases where the disease is detected later, the tumor grows larger but the liver function is still good, the doctor will prescribe surgery. Currently in the world , the 5-year survival rate after surgery is 50-70%.
In cases where the patient has cancer that is not too late for treatment but the current liver function is very poor, the doctor will choose the liver transplant method. The patient will have the fibrotic part of the liver containing the tumor completely removed. Then it will be transplanted into the healthy liver of a relative or donor to restore liver function.
In more severe liver cancer, if the patient does not respond well to the above methods, the doctor will perform transcatheter arterial embolization (TACE). This is a solution to help control tumor growth and prolong the patient's life.
However, 2-3 months later, the patient needs to go to the hospital to check if there are still blood vessels feeding the tumor. If there are, the TACE procedure must be performed again.
Associate Professor, Dr. Bui Huu Hoang consults on treatment for patients
Things to know when treating liver cancer systemically
Dr. Lam Quoc Trung, Deputy Head of the Cancer Chemotherapy Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, said that in cases where patients are diagnosed with advanced or late stages, or in the intermediate stage but treatment fails or is not suitable for local intervention, systemic treatment plays an extremely important role in prolonging the patient's life.
Systemic therapies commonly used today include: chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy combined with immunotherapy. When the disease is in the late stages, systemic therapy can help patients prolong their life by up to 20 months.
Systemic chemotherapy is a form of drug administration into the patient's body through intravenous injection or oral route. After being administered into the body, the drug will enter the blood and reach the organs. Therefore, the patient may experience some unwanted side effects on the skin, digestion, high blood pressure, etc.
Although some side effects still exist during treatment, systemic treatment is still the optimal choice for treatment in advanced or late stages. Patients can rest assured because these side effects can be effectively managed. During treatment, patients should discuss with their doctor or medical staff to receive timely treatment and minimize side effects.
In order to improve the effectiveness of liver cancer diagnosis and treatment in the community, the Media Center of University Medical Center, Ho Chi Minh City, in collaboration with Roche Pharma Vietnam Company, is implementing a consultation program with the theme "Liver cancer: Know early, cure". Follow at: https://bit.ly/ungthuganbietsomchualanh
This is also an activity within the framework of the Liver Cancer Management program - LIVE LONGER - a cooperation program between the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management, hospitals and Roche Pharma Vietnam Company.
Source link
Comment (0)