Liver cancer is a common malignant tumor, and its treatment mainly includes traditional methods such as surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. The interventional treatment methods include hepatic artery chemoembolization (TACE), hepatic artery embolization (TAE), radiofrequency ablation, microwave ablation, percutaneous ethanol injection, etc. This article mainly introduces the interventional methods of minimally invasive treatment for liver cancer.
1、 Hepatic artery chemoembolization (TACE) is an effective interventional treatment for liver cancer, mainly by injecting chemotherapy drugs and embolic agents into the hepatic artery to reduce the blood supply to the tumor area, thus achieving the therapeutic goal. During TACE operation, a catheter is introduced into the hepatic artery through femoral artery puncture, and then chemotherapy drugs and embolic agents are injected into the hepatic artery.
2、 Radiofrequency ablation
Radiofrequency ablation is a method of treating liver cancer tissue by generating heat energy through high-frequency current. The therapeutic effect of radiofrequency ablation mainly depends on factors such as the size, location, and shape of liver cancer. This method is usually suitable for patients with liver cancer with a diameter of less than 3cm and a quantity of less than 3.
The advantage of radiofrequency ablation is that compared to traditional surgery, it is a minimally invasive treatment method with smaller incisions, less trauma, faster recovery, and less impact on liver function. Postoperative pain is mild, which can greatly improve the quality of life of patients.
3、 Interventional therapy is a method of using a catheter to enter the body and destroy liver cancer tissue through chemical drugs or physical therapy. Common interventional treatments include transarterial chemoembolization, transarterial chemoembolization, transarterial embolization, and transarterial embolization.
1. Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE)
This method involves injecting a mixture of anticancer drugs and emboli into the hepatic artery to block the blood supply to liver cancer and achieve the goal of destroying tumor tissue. TACE is usually suitable for patients with liver cancer diameter greater than 3cm.
2. Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TAE): TAE is similar to TACE, but it only injects a mixture containing emboli and does not contain anticancer drugs. TAE is suitable for some patients who cannot tolerate chemotherapy drugs.
3. Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAS): TAS injects emboli into the hepatic artery to block the blood supply of liver cancer and achieve the goal of destroying tumor tissue. TAS is suitable for patients who cannot tolerate chemotherapy drugs.
4. Transcatheter arterial embolization (TACE-TAS): TACE-TAS combines the advantages of TACE and TAS, allowing for the injection of mixtures containing anticancer drugs or emboli, achieving better therapeutic effects. TACE-TAS is suitable for patients with liver cancer diameter greater than 3cm. The advantage of interventional therapy is that it is a minimally invasive treatment method that can effectively destroy liver cancer tissue, and the postoperative recovery is fast with few complications.
4、 Precautions
When performing minimally invasive treatment, the following points should be noted:
1. Before treatment, a comprehensive examination should be conducted to determine the patient's liver function, lesion location, size, and other conditions, in order to determine the most suitable treatment method.
During the treatment process, it is necessary to closely monitor the patient's vital signs, including respiratory, heart rate, blood pressure, and observe whether there are complications such as bleeding and infection.
3. Regular follow-up is required after treatment to evaluate treatment effectiveness and promptly address complications such as bleeding and infection.
4. Patients need to pay attention to rest and recovery after surgery, avoid vigorous exercise and heavy object extraction to avoid affecting the treatment effect.
In summary, minimally invasive treatment for liver cancer is a safe and effective treatment method that can bring hope and new life to liver cancer patients. However, a comprehensive evaluation and selection of the most suitable treatment plan are necessary before starting treatment. During the treatment process, it is necessary to closely monitor the patient's condition and promptly deal with complications to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the treatment.