The people who have early staged liver cancer and get a liver transplant done, 5 year survival rate is said to be as high as 60 to 70 percent.

The symptoms of early stage liver cancer are- losing weight without trying, loss of appetite, severe upper abdominal pain, abdominal swelling and nausea, vomiting. These symptoms can be associated with other liver associated dIseases also. It is advisable to get the checkup done with a gastro-enterologist.

Liver cancer is difficult to cure 100 percent, as the symptoms become severe only in late stages. Even after successful treatment, chances of recurrence are there and thus, patients should get checked in the follow up appointments. Regular health checkups, blood tests and imaging tests are important in the follow up routine. 

The average stay in the hospital is 5- 6 days after the hepatectomy procedure. If the cancer is small, the small liver resection takes a stay of 3-4 days in the hospital. 

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy is needed after the liver cancer surgery, in case the cancer has spread to other body parts. Chemotherapy is also done before the  cancer treatment, to shrink the size of the tumor of the liver. This makes  it easy for the surgeon to remove the tumor. 

The liver has the ability to grow back, 3 months after the part of the liver has been taken away in surgery. The body can cope with the removal of two thirds of the liver. 

Immediately, after the liver cancer surgery you will not be allowed to eat or drink anything by mouth. One day after the surgery, the patient is allowed to drink clear fluids. Patient is brought back to normal diet 1-2 days after the liver cancer surgery.

Liver transplantation has proven to be the best treatment of liver cancer so far. If the underlying cause is liver cirrhosis, then liver transplant is said to be the most effective treatment as it prevents the recurrence of cancer. 

The immunotherapy enhances the cancer fighting immune system responses. It may not work best for hepatitis patients.In case if the immunotherapy leads to liver toxicity, the treatment may need to be stopped altogether.

The chemotherapy involves usage of drugs and the treatment is effective only till the drugs remain in the body. The advantage with immunotherapy is that it provides long term benefits, as the immune cells recognize and remember what the cancer cells look like. So that when next time, the cancer recurs the body’s immune system can recognise and attack the cancer cells. 

The cost of liver cancer treatment varies across different cities and hospitals in India -