Overview
Most liver cancer in India develops in a liver already damaged by hepatitis B, hepatitis C or fatty liver disease with cirrhosis. Because of this, treatment decisions depend on two things at once: the tumour and how well the remaining liver is working.
Early tumours may be treated with surgery, ablation or transplant referral. Intermediate disease often responds to liver-directed treatment such as TACE. For advanced disease, immunotherapy combinations and oral targeted drugs have become the standard first-line choice for suitable patients.
People with cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis benefit from six-monthly ultrasound and AFP surveillance, which is how liver cancer is most often caught at a treatable stage.
Symptoms to watch for
- Pain or heaviness in the upper right abdomen
- Abdominal swelling from fluid collection
- Jaundice, itching or easy bruising
- Loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss
- Worsening fatigue in someone with known liver disease
How we treat it
- Triple-phase CT or MRI staging with liver function assessment
- Immunotherapy combinations for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma
- Oral targeted therapy such as sorafenib or lenvatinib where suitable
- Coordination for TACE, ablation, surgery or transplant referral
- Hepatitis B and C treatment alongside cancer care
- Surveillance programme for patients with cirrhosis
Frequently asked questions
Can liver cancer be treated if I have cirrhosis?+
Often yes, but the choice of treatment is limited by liver function. Some drugs and procedures are unsafe in advanced cirrhosis, so both are assessed together.
Is a biopsy always needed?+
Not always. In a cirrhotic liver, characteristic imaging on triple-phase CT or MRI can be enough to diagnose hepatocellular carcinoma.
Who should be screened?+
Anyone with cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis B should have an ultrasound and AFP every six months.
This page is for information only and does not replace a medical consultation. Please speak to a qualified doctor for advice specific to your condition.