Liver cancer
Oncologists prescribe chemotherapeutic medications based on the stage and extent of liver cancer spread. A liver cancer patient may receive chemotherapy in one of the following ways:
Oral chemotherapeutics
Some chemotherapy chemicals are available for oral administration, similar to other medications.
HAI refers to hepatic artery infusion.
In the case of hepatic artery infusion (HIA), chemotherapy drugs are infused directly into the hepatic artery by targeting the primary blood vessel that attacks liver tumors. Before it reaches the targeted portion of the liver, the chemotherapy drug is broken down by the healthy liver tissue. There may be few adverse effects, but it is possible to receive higher chemotherapy doses. A disadvantage of the hepatic artery infusion procedure is that a surgical procedure is required to insert the small catheter into the hepatic artery. In addition, the majority of patients with liver cancer are not healthy enough to undertake this procedure.
The chemotherapy medication is administered intravenously (IV) via a small catheter inserted into a vein by a physician. The chemotherapy drug may be administered slowly over several hours or rapidly over a few minutes.
The process of chemoembolization
Chemo-embolization is comparable to hepatic artery infusion (HAI) in some ways. In addition to inserting chemotherapy drugs in the form of tiny particles into the hepatic artery, this procedure permits the hepatic artery to be occluded. This reduces the blood supply to tumors, which may aid in their shrinkage. Occasionally, two or more chemotherapeutic agents function more effectively when combined.
Chemotherapy is one of the outpatient treatments for liver cancer, meaning a patient can return home after receiving chemotherapy medications at a clinic or doctor’s office. The chemotherapy treatment for liver cancer may last for some time, and there is a clear possibility of experiencing adverse effects. In order to minimize the damage to healthy cells, it is also essential to take regular rest breaks between chemotherapy sessions. Each chemotherapy session consists of one or more days of treatment followed by recovery periods. Chemotherapy sessions typically last at least three weeks, and you should discuss your chemotherapy schedule with your oncologist.
