Liver cancer

A large number of patients I see already have some underlying liver condition, often for years.

Common risk factors in our setting include:

• Chronic hepatitis B or C infection
• Liver cirrhosis, due to alcohol, viral infection, or long-standing fatty liver
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (increasingly common in urban patients with diabetes or obesity)
• Long-term alcohol intake
• Certain inherited conditions (though less frequently seen)

One pattern that stands out: patients with fatty liver and diabetes often underestimate their risk. “It's just fat in the liver,” they say. But over time, this may progress to inflammation, scarring, and occasionally cancer.

Liver cancer is often quiet in the early phase. Many patients are diagnosed incidentally during an ultrasound done for unrelated reasons. When symptoms do appear, they are usually non-specific:

• Unexplained weight loss over a few months
• Reduced appetite, early fullness after meals
• Dull pain or heaviness in the upper abdomen, slightly to the right
• Persistent fatigue
• Yellowing of eyes or skin (jaundice), in some cases
• Pale or clay-coloured stools

If you notice any of these symptoms, contact the best liver cancer doctors in Navi Mumbai at UMC Hospitals for further evaluation.

We usually start with basic tests, then proceed step by step.

Initial evaluation may include:

• Liver function blood tests
• Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels - this tumour marker may be elevated, though not always

Imaging plays a central role:

• Ultrasound as a first step
• Triphasic CT scan or MRI to assess size, number, and vascular involvement

In many cases, characteristic imaging findings are sufficient. Occasionally, a biopsy is required, especially if the diagnosis is unclear.

For patients already known to have cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis, periodic screening with ultrasound and AFP is often advised. This helps detect lesions when they are still small, sometimes under 2 cm.

Treatment for liver cancer at our Department of Medical and Surgical Oncology It depends on tumour size, number of lesions, liver function, and overall health. It includes:

Surgical Resection

• Removal of the tumour along with a margin of healthy liver tissue
• Considered when liver function is preserved, and the tumour is localised

Liver Transplant

• Suitable for select early-stage patients
• Replaces the diseased liver entirely
• Not an option for everyone, and requires careful selection

Local Ablation Techniques

• Radiofrequency ablation (heat-based)
• Microwave ablation or cryoablation (freezing)
• Often used for small tumours (typically >3-4 cm)

TACE (Transarterial Chemoembolization)

• Chemotherapy is delivered directly into the tumour's blood supply
• Followed by blocking the artery to cut off nutrition to the tumour

Systemic Therapies

• Targeted therapy or immunotherapy in advanced disease
• These may help control progression rather than cure

Radiation is used selectively, often for symptom control or specific cases

In practice, many patients receive a combination of these treatments over time rather than a single modality.

We are committed to providing the best liver cancer treatment in Navi Mumbai using the most advanced technology. Our approach typically includes:

• Multidisciplinary discussion between physicians, surgeons, and oncologists
• Individualised planning based on liver function, not just tumour size
• Clear explanation of realistic outcomes and possible side effects
• Ongoing monitoring, because liver disease itself often needs parallel management

Some patients are candidates for curative treatment, especially when detected early. Others may require long-term disease control strategies. Reach out to our team for detailed evaluation and care.