Why is liver cancer today no longer a death sentence?

Only a while ago, when cancer occurred or metastasized to the liver, it was considered a death sentence. But today, that is no longer true. In many hospitals in the United States, half of patients who undergo surgery to remove the tumor from the liver still maintain life after 5 years.

The big change is made by new developments in technology and medicine. From a life-threatening dangerous procedure, liver surgery has become relatively simple. Previously, patients who had it had to stay in the hospital every week to monitor complications such as bleeding, infection . Today, they can go home after 48-72 hours, with the tumor fun. be eliminated.

Picture 1 of Why is liver cancer today no longer a death sentence?
Liver cancer is no longer a death sentence.

We must also mention the progress of chemotherapy. Today's drugs are powerful enough to shrink the tumor size , until it is small enough for surgical intervention.

Besides, the worst thing about liver surgery in the past has also been under control: blood loss. The liver is an organ of a relatively complex structure, with strong blood covering its interior.

Today, by using high frequency ultrasound during surgery, blood vessels in the liver can be identified and preserved. 3D endoscopic surgery also allows us to reduce up to 75% of the liver with minimal blood loss. Some techniques are also applied to ensure blood pressure, reduce blood loss.

Talking about a different treatment, transplantation is usually not an option for patients with liver cancer. It will be difficult to find suitable donors. Besides, transplanting foreign organs requires patients to use anti-rejection drugs for life. Unfortunately, these drugs facilitate cancer to grow again.

Picture 2 of Why is liver cancer today no longer a death sentence?
An operation for liver cancer patients.

In the postoperative period, patients only need 5 to 6 weeks for the remaining liver to regenerate itself to its original size. They seem to have escaped the disease that was once considered a death sentence.

Back in everyday life, they will no longer be a cancer patient. However, a strict medical monitoring regime is necessary. The frequency of the first 2 years, they will go to the hospital to check every 3 months and will drop to 6 months later.

The patient will perform blood tests and medical scans to see if the tumor has returned.

Even in the worst case scenario, they will not face death. Simply a new surgery is scheduled. Some people may have liver surgery up to 3, 4 times and be assured of life, as long as the cancer does not spread to other parts of the body.

For them, repeated surgical removal of the liver is a normal thing during cancer treatment. Anesthesia, surgery, recovery and return to life, it is a familiar cycle.

Today, liver cancer is no longer a death sentence. But in the future, advances will certainly not stop there. Scientists and doctors still work hard every day to develop new treatment methods and techniques. Let us always believe in a better future for the next generation with the advancement of medicine.