Liver Cancer: Specialised Care and Expert Guidance
Liver cancer caught early responds remarkably well to treatment. Tumours removed at stage 0 or A give patients years of healthy life ahead.
At SSO Hospitals, you’ll find experienced gastrointestinal oncologists who specialise in treating liver tumours. Our focus is on designing targeted treatment plans to remove the cancer while preserving enough healthy liver tissue for your body to function and recover well.
Overview
A liver cancer diagnosis fills your mind with a lot of questions: How serious is the cancer? What are the options? Can surgery help? Is it worth it?
Well, your liver cancer is often treatable and offers good chances of leading a normal life. Your treatment path depends on tumour size, location and how well your liver is functioning.
Early-stage patients with good liver function often qualify for surgical resection or ablation. These are techniques that destroy tumours without major surgery. Advanced cases need chemotherapy or targeted therapies to slow progression and manage symptoms.
At SSO Hospitals, a team of hepatologists, surgical oncologists, and radiologists maps out your specific treatment path that offers you the best chances of recovery. We also handle insurance claims and related paperwork so you can focus on your or your loved one’s health.
Symptoms
When starting out, liver cancer hardly shows any significant signs until the tumour grows larger or starts affecting liver performance. That’s why it’s important you pay attention to any changes your body signals.
- Persistent pain in your upper right abdomen or shoulder blade
- Weight dropping without any diet changes
- Feeling full after eating very little
- Swelling or bloating in your belly
- Yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes
- Unusual tiredness that sleep doesn’t fix
- Stools turning pale or chalky white
- Urine becoming darker than normal
- Nausea, vomiting and low fever that won’t go away
Our specialist uses the renowned Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) system to stage the disease. It looks at tumour characteristics, how well your liver works, and your overall fitness level.
Stage 0 (Very early):
: A single tumour under 2 cm with normal liver function and no symptoms.
Stage A (Early):
One tumour or up to three small ones (under 3 cm) with good liver function.
Stage B (Intermediate):
Multiple tumours throughout the liver with no spread and adequate liver function.
Stage C (Advanced):
Cancer has grown into major blood vessels or spread to nearby lymph nodes.
Liver cancer includes different types that start in various cells within the organ. Most fall into one of these:
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): Starts in hepatocytes (the main liver cells) and usually develops in people with cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis infections.
Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: Begins in the bile ducts inside your liver and often occurs alongside chronic inflammation.
Angiosarcoma: A rare and aggressive cancer that starts in the blood vessel lining of your liver, sometimes linked to chemical exposure.
Liver cancer diagnosis starts with blood tests and imaging. If those show something suspicious, we take a tissue sample to confirm. Here’s what to expect with each test:
Blood tests: Check for AFP (a protein elevated in liver cancer) and measure liver function.
Ultrasound: Uses sound waves to create liver images and detect masses or abnormal growths.
CT scan: Shows detailed images of tumour size, location, and any spread to other organs.
MRI: Uses magnets and radio waves to distinguish cancerous tumours from benign growths.
Biopsy: Extracts a tissue sample for lab analysis to confirm cancer.
Risks and Complications
Developing liver cancer depends on many factors, including your genetics, age, environment, and liver health.
Hepatitis B and C cause long-term liver damage and inflammation.
Liver scarring (cirrhosis) creates conditions for tumour development, especially in advanced stages.
Heavy, long-term alcohol consumption damages liver cells and can lead to cirrhosis.
Fat buildup in the liver can progress to inflammation and malignancy.
Diabetes and obesity independently contribute to liver disease and tumour formation.
Tobacco use compounds the effects of other risk factors like hepatitis and alcohol.
Family history of liver cancer or inherited liver diseases increases susceptibility.
When surgery becomes necessary
Surgery depends on where the tumour is, how well your liver works, and whether cancer has spread.
Resectable tumours: We recommend surgery when you have early-stage disease with good liver function and up to three small tumours in accessible locations.
Liver transplant: If you have cirrhosis along with small tumours, a transplant removes both the diseased liver and cancer in one procedure.
Ablation therapy: Heat or cold destroys tumours without surgery and is effective for small tumours near major blood vessels or in hard-to-reach areas.
Embolisation procedures: When your cancer has spread widely or your liver is severely damaged, we focus on slowing growth and managing your symptoms.
Why choose SSO Hospitals
A liver cancer diagnosis brings fear and uncertainty. At SSO Hospitals, one of India’s leading cancer care centres, we’re here to make that journey less frightening and more hopeful.
Our team of specialists works together to assess your condition and build a treatment plan tailored to you – one that combines advanced therapies with a focus on preserving your quality of life.
Our goal is straightforward: effective, safe treatment that helps you recover and return to your daily routine as quickly as possible.
Meet our cancer specialists
World class expertise, Empathetic treatment
Dr. Sanket Mehta
MBBS, MS Cytoreductive Surgery | HIPEC | Laparoscopic & Robotic GI Surgery | Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery 14+ years of experience
Dr. Vivek Sukumar
MBBS, MS, MCh Surgical Oncology 12 years of experience GI cancers, gynaecologic cancers, peritoneal surface malignancies, stomach & colorectal cancers, pancreatic & liver cancers, HIPEC/CRS
Meet our cancer specialists
World class expertise, Empathetic treatment
Dr. Sanket Mehta
MBBS, MS
Cytoreductive Surgery | HIPEC | Laparoscopic & Robotic GI Surgery | Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery
14+ years of experience
Dr. Vivek Sukumar
MBBS, MS, MCh Surgical Oncology
GI Cancer | Colorectal Cancer | Peritoneal Surface Oncology | Minimally Invasive Pelvic Surgery
Frequently asked questions
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Care, close to home
We have seven branches across Mumbai and Ahmedabad
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