World Cancer Day 2025: Expert Lists Side Effects Of Liver Cancer Treatment You Didn’t Know About

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World Cancer Day 2025: Expert Lists Side Effects Of Liver Cancer Treatment You Didn’t Know About

Cancer, which was once considered a fatal disease, is now treatable due to the advancements in healthcare and technologies. However, it does not come without side effects. A patient may experience various side effects, such as pain, fatigue, nausea, and skin changes during or after cancer treatment. On this World Cancer Day 2025, which falls on 4th February, we spoke to Dr Praveen Kesav, Senior Consultant and Head of Division, Interventional Radiology, GG Hospital and Sree Gokulam Medical College, Trivandrum, who explained the side effects of liver cancer treatment and how to mitigate the risks.

Side Effects Of Liver Cancer Treatment

Patients who receive liver cancer treatments, including surgery and chemotherapy, experience several typical side effects. The side effects from surgery and chemotherapy differ according to the treatment type and patient’s health status.

According to the Pancare Foundation, cancer treatments like chemotherapy target cancer cells, but they can also harm healthy cells, leading to side effects. Generally, these side effects are temporary and subside once treatment is completed. If you believe your side effects require immediate attention, reach out to your healthcare team for guidance on who to contact.

  • Liver Failure
  • Prolonged recovery period
  • Pain and Discomfort
  • Fatigue
  • Infection
  • Bleeding, mainly due to poor liver function

Chemotherapy/Targeted Therapy

The side effects of chemotherapy depend on the type of medication used:

  • A rash, redness, itching, or peeling of the skin on the palms and soles of the feet
  • Nausea and Vomiting
  • Loss of Appetite
  • Fatigue
  • Diarrhoea/constipation

Radiation Therapy

skin-redness

  • Skin Changes: The skin develops various changes, including redness and peeling, when exposed to radiation therapy.
  • Fatigue: Similar to other treatments, radiation therapy can also cause fatigue.
  • Radiation injury to adjacent organs

Also Read: Finding The Right Treatment For Liver Cancer: Expert Explains The Shift to Personalised Medicine

Minimally Invasive Treatment Methods Vs Traditional Treatment Approaches

cancer-treatment

“Minimally invasive treatment options for liver cancer, such as radiofrequency/microwave ablation and Transarterial Chemoembolisation (TACE) provide multiple benefits that surpass traditional treatment approaches. These treatment methods demonstrate better performance than traditional approaches by generating fewer adverse effects,” explained Dr Kesav. Here are some key points to consider:

  • Smaller Incisions: The pinhole procedures of ablation and TACE offer advantages over traditional treatment open surgeries. This results in no pain and discomfort for the patient, reduced risk of infection, and quicker healing times.
  • Reduced Blood Loss: The surgical procedures lead to lower blood loss during the operation. The reduction in bleeding complications becomes possible through this treatment.
  • Shorter Hospital Stays: Patients who receive minimally invasive medical procedures need shorter hospital stays and faster recovery times. This enables them to resume their regular activities and work sooner.
  • Lower Risk of Complications: Using minimally invasive techniques can help reduce complications, such as infections and postoperative pain.
  • Minimal damage to the remaining liver: Techniques like radiofrequency ablation and TACE enable precise tumour therapy, which protects healthy tissue in the area. The treatment techniques minimise damage to the patient’s overall body structure.
  • Improved Quality of Life: Due to the reduced side effects and quicker recovery, patients who receive minimally invasive treatment generally report better quality of life than patients who undergo traditional medical procedures treatments.

Minimally invasive treatment options serve as gentler medical procedures than traditional surgeries. Patients benefit from these procedures because they achieve superior results with reduced side effects compared to conventional surgical approaches.

Also Read: Expert Explains The Role of Hepatitis in the Rising Incidence of Liver Cancer

How to Mitigate Adverse Side Effects 

There are specific side effects related to liver cancer treatments that patients should be particularly vigilant about. Here are some of the key side effects and their management measures:

cancer-patient-eating

  • Liver Failure: The condition represents a severe postoperative complication that sometimes develops after surgical procedures. “The treatment of larger tumours with ablation or TACE occurs less frequently. Patients should watch for symptoms, such as jaundice, confusion, increased sleep patterns, and swelling in the abdomen,” advised Dr Kesav.
  • Prolonged Recovery Period: Following surgery, patients often require an extended recovery period, during which they may experience fatigue and weakness. It’s important to follow the healthcare team’s advice on rest and gradually increasing physical activity.
  • Rash, Redness, Itching, or Peeling of Skin: These side effects are common with chemotherapy and targeted therapies. Patients can use moisturisers, avoid harsh soaps, and consult their healthcare team for appropriate medications.
  • Loss of Appetite: Patients may experience a loss of appetite and changes in taste. Eating small, frequent meals and focusing on nutrient-dense foods can help maintain nutrition.
  • Diarrhoea/Constipation: These gastrointestinal issues can occur with chemotherapy and targeted therapies. Staying hydrated, eating a balanced diet, and using medications as prescribed can help manage these symptoms.
  • Radiation Injury to Adjacent Organs: Radiation therapy can cause damage to nearby organs. Regular monitoring and appropriate medical interventions are essential to manage this risk.

Role Of Personalised Treatment Plans For Managing Side Effects

The use of personalised treatment plans based on genetic profiles helps minimise side effects which patients experience during liver cancer treatment. Here’s how:

cancer-patient-talking-to-doctor

  • Tailored Procedure Selection: Healthcare providers can use tumour genetic analysis to make treatment decisions. “They can identify which procedure is most likely to be effective and which one may cause adverse reactions by analysing a tumour’s genetic makeup. This helps in selecting procedures better suited to the patient’s genetic profile, thereby minimising the risk of poor response and severe side effects,” said Dr Kesav.
  • Optimised Dosage: Genetic testing shows patients how their bodies process specific medications. This information helps determine the best dosage to minimise negative outcomes and the likelihood of toxicity or ineffectiveness.
  • Targeted Therapies: Personalised treatment plans often include targeted therapies focusing on specific genetic mutations in the cancer cells. These therapies attack cancer cells more precisely, sparing healthy cells and reducing side effects.
  • Improved Monitoring:Healthcare providers who use personalised methods maintain close observation of their patients’ responses to treatment by tracking their treatment responses to make necessary adjustments. This proactive management approach enables healthcare providers to tackle side effects quickly and successfully,” added Dr Kesav.

Minimally Invasive Treatments with Improved Outcomes

  • Microwave Ablation (MWA): The advanced microwave ablation technique provides better results through reliable ablation margins. The improved accuracy of ablation margins through this method results in superior treatment outcomes. It can be used in pacemaker patients as well.
  • Balloon Occluded Transarterial Chemoembolisation (TACE): Balloon The recent development of balloon occluded TACE represents a modified version of conventional TACE procedures. “This technique enables surgeons to perform segmental resection without requiring open surgical procedures. This procedure demonstrates promising results for achieving complete response in specific early disease patients,” said Dr Kesav.

The development of minimally invasive treatments has introduced less damaging procedures for patients. These procedures are an alternative to conventional surgical approaches, which produce better results with reduced postoperative complications for patients.

[Disclaimer: This article contains information provided by an expert and is for informational purposes only. Hence, we advise you to consult your professional if you are dealing with any health issue to avoid complications.]

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