The liver is a vital organ of the body and it needs to function well to coordinate with other organs smoothly. Overlooking health issues may invite bigger problems. Signs and symptoms of liver disease can lead to the development of liver cancer. Once you are diagnosed with liver cancer, you have to undergo liver cancer treatments immediately as the abnormal cells in the liver may continue to grow and divide at an alarming rate.

Options for treating liver cancer include:

1. Treatments to control symptoms
While liver cancer treatments are ongoing with medications and several therapies, a doctor may advise controlling certain symptoms instead of treating the cancer and eradicating the growth of the cells. These symptoms may include:

• Weight loss
• Pain
• Jaundice
• Difficulty in breathing

2. Pros and cons of early stage treatment
You should discuss the advantages and the disadvantages of each stage as well as the side effects involved:

• You may ask for extra appointments if more tests are required.
• You might also ask about clinical trials or research in clinics where you want to get the treatment. These trials and research programs work on new cancer treatments.
• You may ask your doctor to arrange a second opinion from a liver specialist before starting any liver cancer treatment. Taking a second opinion would clarify all your doubts about your present situation, and you would get sound advice about the treatment that is most suitable to you.

3. Secondary liver cancer treatments
When the primary cancer treatment does not work at all, you have to undergo secondary liver cancer treatments. This is when the cancer cells spread to other parts of your body. This treatment is to help you survive longer, have a healthy life and, above all, to control the growth of the cancer cells by treating the symptoms of the disease. Your treatment initiates with:

• A common cancer medication such as sorafenib
• Conducting radiotherapy treatment to find the parts of the body where the cancer cells have spread

4. Communicate with your healthcare team
No matter which stage you are in, a little support and opinion from the doctor or healthcare team can make a huge difference in your life. Communication with the cancer care team will help lower your stress by giving you answers to all the unturned pages like understanding the treatment, diagnosis, and the ways to improve your life in the future. The various types of programs and services that can boost your mind are nutritional advice, rehabs, financial services, and spiritual help.

There are many exceptional cases wherein the advanced treatment is ongoing, but there are no signs of betterment, even with the newest liver cancer treatments. On the other hand, when cancer is at its advanced stage, some people do not want to treat it at all. Always talk to your doctor before such a crucial decision, as the doctor may not treat you further but at least support you to overcome the pain and symptoms.