The treatment for liver cancer depends on several factors, including the stage of the cancer, the patient's overall health, and liver function. Here are the primary treatment options available for liver cancer:

1. Surgery

a. Partial Hepatectomy

• Description: Removal of the part of the liver that contains the tumor.
• Use: Best for patients with a single tumor that has not spread and good liver function.
• Sources: American Cancer Society, Mayo Clinic

b. Liver Transplant

• Description: Replacing the diseased liver with a healthy liver from a donor.
• Use: Suitable for patients with a small number of small tumors and severe liver disease.
• Sources: American Cancer Society, National Cancer Institute

2. Ablation Therapy

a. Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)

• Description: Uses high-energy radio waves to heat and destroy cancer cells.
• Use: For patients who cannot undergo surgery; best for small tumors.
• Sources: American Cancer Society, Mayo Clinic

b. Microwave Ablation (MWA)

• Description: Uses microwave energy to heat and destroy cancer cells.
• Use: Similar to RFA, suitable for small tumors.
• Sources: American Cancer Society, National Cancer Institute

c. Cryoablation

• Description: Uses extreme cold to freeze and destroy cancer cells.
• Use: For patients who cannot undergo surgery.
• Sources: American Cancer Society, Mayo Clinic

3. Embolization Therapy

a. Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE)

• Description: Delivers chemotherapy drugs directly to the liver tumor and blocks the blood supply to the tumor.
• Use: For patients who cannot have surgery or ablation.
• Sources: American Cancer Society, National Cancer Institute

b. Radioembolization

• Description: Uses radioactive beads to deliver radiation directly to the tumor and block its blood supply.
• Use: For patients who cannot have surgery or ablation.
• Sources: American Cancer Society, Mayo Clinic

4. Radiation Therapy

a. External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT)

• Description: Uses high-energy rays to target and kill cancer cells.
• Use: For patients who cannot have surgery or have advanced liver cancer.
• Sources: American Cancer Society, National Cancer Institute

b. Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)

• Description: Delivers high doses of radiation to a small, precise area of the liver.
• Use: For small tumors that cannot be surgically removed.
• Sources: American Cancer Society, Mayo Clinic

5. Targeted Therapy

• Description: Uses drugs to target specific genes or proteins that are involved in the growth and survival of cancer cells.
• Examples: Sorafenib (Nexavar), Lenvatinib (Lenvima), Regorafenib (Stivarga), Cabozantinib (Cabometyx).
• Sources: American Cancer Society, National Cancer Institute

6. Immunotherapy

• Description: Uses the body's immune system to fight cancer.
• Examples: Pembrolizumab (Keytruda), Nivolumab (Opdivo).
• Sources: American Cancer Society, Mayo Clinic

7. Chemotherapy

• Description: Uses drugs to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing.
• Administration: Can be systemic (throughout the body) or regional (targeted to the liver).
• Sources: American Cancer Society, National Cancer Institute

Conclusion

Treatment options for liver cancer include surgery, ablation therapy, embolization therapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy. The choice of treatment depends on the stage of the cancer, liver function, and the patient's overall health.

Further Reading

• American Cancer Society: Treating Liver Cancer
• Mayo Clinic: Liver Cancer Treatment
• National Cancer Institute: Liver Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)–Patient Version

These resources provide comprehensive information on the various treatment options for liver cancer.