TREATMENTS FOR LIVER METASTASES
After Secondary Liver Cancer is found, your specialist team will discuss the treatment options and
these are some factors to consider:
- The type, location and extent of the primary cancer and the secondary liver cancer
- The role of surgery and if the cancer is resectable (removable by surgery)
- The risks of surgery and the other alternative treatments available
- their various roles, rationale, pros and cons, risks vs. benefit etc.
- Patient’s overall health, fitness for surgery and if the remnant liver would be adequate.
- The chances of curing the disease, extending life, or relieving symptoms
The main types of treatment for secondary liver cancer include:
- Surgery
- Locoregional therapy- Ablation, Trans-arterial embolization therapy +/- chemotherapy agents
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Palliative therapy and Supportive care
- A combination of various treatment options may be offered to optimise the treatment
- Clinical trials - if available
As surgery is the only effective method for treating some secondary liver cancers e.g., colorectal or neuroendocrine cancers, it is important to get an assessment by a
Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) surgeon in conjunction with the surgeon for the primary cancer.
If there are no spread of the cancer to other parts of the body and the patient is suitable– Liver surgery (liver resection) may be a potential curative treatment. The recommended treatment strategy is often based on consensus by a group of different specialists’ opinions (multi-disciplinary team tumour board) which weighs the pros and cons of every treatment strategy and tailors the plan for each patient.
Clinical trials test new drugs, surgical techniques, and strategies for advancing treatment and care. There may be suitable clinical trials available for selected patients.
Please consult our team of specialists here as we sub-specialise in the treatment for Secondary Liver Cancers e.g., Colorectal liver metastases.