Liver cancer has long been considered one of the most challenging cancers to treat, often diagnosed at an advanced stage when surgery is no longer an option. From the information circulating pafikutaikab.org but medical advancements in the last decade have changed that picture. Today, patients have access to a range of non-surgical treatments from targeted radiation to immunotherapy — offering new hope and improved survival rates.
Understanding Liver Cancer
Liver cancer can develop from the liver’s own cells (hepatocellular carcinoma or HCC) or from bile duct cells (cholangiocarcinoma). In Indonesia, most cases are linked to chronic hepatitis B or C infections, fatty liver disease, or cirrhosis.
“Surgery remains the gold standard for early-stage liver cancer,” explains Dr. Rina Prasetyo, an oncologist at Siloam Hospitals Jakarta. “However, not all patients are eligible. When the tumor is large, has spread, or the liver function is weak, non-surgical treatments can still help control the disease and improve quality of life.”
1. Radiation Therapy — Precision at Work
Traditional radiation therapy was once limited for liver cancer due to the risk of damaging surrounding healthy tissue. But new technologies like Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) and Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIRT) now deliver radiation with extreme precision.
“These techniques focus high doses of radiation directly at the tumor,” Dr. Rina explains. “SIRT, for example, uses tiny radioactive beads injected into the liver’s blood vessels to attack the cancer cells from within, minimizing harm to normal liver tissue.”
Radiation is particularly useful for patients whose tumors cannot be surgically removed or for those awaiting liver transplantation.
2. Ablation Therapy — Destroying Tumors from Within
Ablation therapy is a minimally invasive procedure where doctors use heat, cold, or chemicals to destroy cancer cells. The most common types include radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and microwave ablation (MWA).
“This method is highly effective for small tumors,” says Dr. Hendra Wijaya, an interventional radiologist. “It offers quick recovery, minimal scarring, and can often be done under local anesthesia.”
Patients typically go home within a day, and results show comparable success rates to surgery for early-stage cancers.
3. Targeted Therapy — Blocking Cancer’s Growth Signals
Unlike chemotherapy, which affects both healthy and cancerous cells, targeted therapy focuses on specific molecules that fuel tumor growth. Drugs such as sorafenib and lenvatinib are commonly prescribed to slow disease progression and block blood supply to cancerous tissue.
“Targeted therapy represents a milestone in liver cancer management,” Dr. Rina notes. “Patients live longer with fewer side effects compared to traditional chemotherapy.”
4. Immunotherapy — Training the Body to Fight Back
Immunotherapy is one of the newest and most promising approaches. It works by stimulating the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells. Drugs like nivolumab and pembrolizumab — known as checkpoint inhibitors — have shown significant success in advanced liver cancer cases.
“Immunotherapy doesn’t just attack the tumor; it helps the body build long-term defense,” Dr. Rina says. “Some patients experience prolonged remission, even after stopping treatment.”
The Future of Liver Cancer Treatment
Doctors are now combining these therapies to achieve better outcomes. For instance, immunotherapy paired with targeted drugs has demonstrated improved survival rates in clinical studies. Early detection remains crucial — the earlier liver cancer is found, the more effective these treatments can be.
As Dr. Rina concludes, “We are entering an era where liver cancer no longer means limited options. With modern therapies, even patients who can’t undergo surgery can still fight — and win against this disease.”Source: https://pafikutaikab.org/
