2023-08-13 10:03:00
By…Dr. Preetsophon Sophonkanaporn, a radiologist specializing in torso radiology, Vejthani Hospital
Liver cancer is the most common cancer in Thailand. Patients with liver cancer often come to see a doctor when the symptoms are severe or in the late stages of the disease. The size of the tumor when detected is often too large to be surgically removed. Currently, there are popular treatment methods for liver cancer. and a targeted treatment called TACE (Transarterial Oily Chemoembolization).
The exact cause of liver cancer is still unknown. But it is often associated with the following conditions:
1. Hepatitis B and/or C infection If left untreated, it can lead to long-term hepatitis. and become liver cancer
2. Cirrhosis It was found that patients with cirrhosis have a 270 times higher chance of developing liver cancer than the general population.
3. Chronic alcohol use If drinking more than 80 grams of alcohol per day for 5 years, the risk of developing liver cancer is 8-12 times higher.
4. Liver flukes which is a parasite found in freshwater fish or undercooked food
5. Eat foods that are high in aflatoxin such as peanuts, corn, chili, onion, garlic, soybean paste and nitrosamines such as fermented fish, Chinese sausage, sausage, salted meat, salted fish, dried shrimp.
6. Obesity, especially abdominal obesity, because there is a risk of fatty liver disease.
Currently, there are many ways to treat liver cancer. The best method is surgical removal of the tumor. But most patients often have limitations that prevent surgery, such as elderly patients with cirrhosis or multiple tumors. Therefore, the treatment of liver cancer is another widely popular method. is the administration of specific chemotherapy drugs through arteries that directly feeds liver cancer lumps Also known as TACE, short for the word Transarterial Oily Chemoembolization
TACE is a treatment with topical chemotherapy. The doctor will insert a catheter into the groin and insert a small tube directly into the artery that feeds the cancer. Then chemotherapy is given by blocking the blood vessels with small gelatin foam (gel foam). in order to prevent the blood supply to the tumor again and ultimately cause the tumor to atrophy and die. The dosage is small compared to intravenous chemotherapy. thus reducing side effects on other parts of the body
However, it was found that some cancer cells may remain and regenerate by stimulating nearby normal tissue to form new blood vessels to feed the tumor. Therefore, TACE may need to be repeated every 4-. 6 weeks if the tumor is large or multiple sites to limit the remaining cancer cells.
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