What Happens After Liver Cancer Treatment

Dubai, March 16, 2015 (Newswire.com) - For individuals with liver cancer, the available treatment options  may remove or completely eradicate the cancer. Completing treatment for liver cancer can be very stressful and can cause anxiety as you may be relieved to finish treatment, but on the other hand may find it hard to worry about the cancer growing or recurring. This is a very common concern in people who have had cancer and it may take time before one overcomes the fear of recurrence. Many cancer survivors eventually learn to live with uncertainty and go on to have a successful life.

However, for some individuals with liver cancer, the cancer may not completely go away and will need regular treatments to try to help keep the cancer in check. Learning to deal with and live with liver cancer that does not go away can be difficult and very stressful for the patient as well as the family.

After care for liver cancer

For liver cancer patients who have completed their treatment, the doctors need to still observe the patient closely. Therefore, it's important that the patient attend all their follow-up appointments. At follow up visits the doctor will check for symptoms, do physical exams, and request for certain blood tests, such as alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels, liver function tests (LFTs) to be done as well as imaging tests, such as ultrasound, CT, or MRI scans. This type of Cancer Screening in Dubai will be useful for patients to know where they stand, on their road to recovery from liver cancer.

If you have been treated with a surgical resection or a liver transplant and have no signs of cancer remaining, most doctors recommend follow-up with imaging tests and blood tests every 3 to 6 months for the first 2 years, then every 6 to 12 months, thereafter if all is clear. Follow-up is needed to check if the cancer has spread to new areas and also to monitor the side effects of certain cancer treatments.

All cancer treatment options can have side effects. Some may last for a few weeks while others may last for the rest of the patient's life. Make sure to talk to your doctor about the symptoms or side effects that you experience so that he can help you deal with it effectively.

If your cancer does come back, treatment will depend on the location of the cancer, what treatments you've had before, and your overall health and liver function.

After care for a liver transplant

One of the most effective ways of treating liver cancer is with a liver transplant as it replaces the damaged liver to prevent liver failure. However, the entire process is a major procedure and needs intense follow-up, once the procedure is completed. The patient may need to be monitored after surgery and should also be checked regularly for possible signs of cancer recurrence. The doctors will usually keep the patient under observation until the patient's body accepts the new liver. Thereafter, the patient will need to take strong medication to prevent rejection and enable the liver to adjust and function well. The medication will have side effects such as weakening the immune system, which can make the patient pick up other infections. However, talk to the doctor if the symptoms are persistent.

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