Liver cancer is also known as hepatocellular carcinoma, Liver cancer treatment in India is possible in all stages. There are chances that in higher stages there are fewer chances of survival. It is a necessary part of the cancer that they must be diagnosed in the early stages, they can be cured. 

The prominent treatments are chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and, in some cases, surgery. Liver transplant is also possible in case of non-malignant cancer cases. In India, treatment for liver cancer varies depending on the stage of the disease, the patient’s overall health, and the underlying causes (such as chronic hepatitis B or C infection or cirrhosis).

Liver Cancer Introduction: Is Liver Cancer Serious? 

The answer to the second question is far away, but liver cancer is a kind of carcinoma specifically in the Hepatocytes. The liver, a vital organ in the upper right abdomen, plays a crucial role in detoxifying the body, producing bile, storing glycogen, and synthesizing proteins essential for blood clotting. Liver cancer treatment in India is a verdict to the domestic and international patients. The liver is made up of four lobes—right, left, caudate, and quadrate. It comprises specialised cells such as hepatocytes, bile duct cells, endothelial cells, and Kupffer cells (liver macrophages). In most cases, liver cancer. 

Liver cancer typically occurs as a result of chronic liver diseases, particularly cirrhosis caused by prolonged alcohol use or viral hepatitis infections (hepatitis B or C). The liver tissue undergoes abnormal changes, with scar tissue replacing healthy liver cells in cirrhosis, making the liver more susceptible to cancerous growth. 

In advanced stages, liver cancer may spread (metastasize) to other organs such as the lungs or bones, complicating treatment and prognosis. The cancer can present in various forms, including a solitary tumor or multiple tumors, often affecting the right lobe of the liver more frequently. In the advanced stages of liver cancer, Liver cancer treatment in India is possible with multiple options, in the next section, you will see an overview of the treatment. 

Is Liver Cancer Serious Disease? 

Symptoms of liver cancer are often vague and can include abdominal pain, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), unexplained weight loss, fatigue, and loss of appetite. These symptoms may not appear until the disease is in an advanced stage, making early detection challenging. The answer to the second question is Yes, liver cancer is a serious disease.

It is one of the most aggressive forms of cancer, and its prognosis can be poor, especially when diagnosed at later stages. The liver plays a critical role in various bodily functions such as detoxification, protein synthesis, and the production of bile, and liver cancer can severely impair these functions. Liver cancer treatment in India is possible with the lowest prices and in a cooperative way. 

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Liver Cancer Treatment in India: Ways to Treat Liver Cancer 

Given the liver’s central role in metabolism and detoxification, liver cancer poses significant challenges to treatment. It requires a multidisciplinary approach that may include surgery, liver transplant, ablation therapies, chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy. The prognosis depends on the stage of cancer, liver function, and overall health of the individual.

Liver cancer treatment in India involves a variety of approaches, tailored to the stage of cancer, the patient’s health, and the liver's condition. Below are the main treatment options available, along with descriptions and bullet points outlining the methods: 

  1. Radiation Therapy
  2. Chemotherapy
  3. Immunotherapy
  4. Hormonal Therapy
  5. Transarterial Therapy
  6. Ablation Therapy
  7. Surgical Therapy 

Here are the different sections for the treatment explanation. 

Radiation Therapy

It is not the first option in cancer treatment, but useful for the advanced stages. Liver cancer treatment in India is better for the cases where liver cancer is diagnosed at a very late stage and curative treatments are not possible. Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells or shrink tumors. It’s typically used in cases where surgery is not possible, or to treat tumors in difficult-to-reach areas. The main points of the treatment are: 

  • A machine directs high-energy radiation beams at the tumor from outside the body.
  • It can help shrink tumors or relieve symptoms.
  • A more precise form of radiation that delivers high doses of radiation to the tumor while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
  • Typically used for patients with small tumors or those who are not candidates for surgery.

Chemotherapy 

Chemotherapy is the common name, and is commonly used in liver cancer treatment in India. Traditional chemotherapy involves the use of drugs that circulate throughout the body to kill cancer cells. It is often less effective in liver cancer but may be used in combination with other therapies for advanced-stage cancer.

Drugs like Cisplatin or Doxorubicin can be used to shrink tumors or control the spread of cancer, though liver cancer is typically less responsive to chemotherapy compared to other cancers. The main points of chemotherapy liver cancer treatment in India are: 

  • Drugs like Sorafenib (Nexavar) or Lenvatinib (Lenvima) target specific proteins that help cancer cells grow.
  • Used for advanced liver cancer or when other treatment options fail.
  • After the chemotherapy treatment, cancer can spread easily.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a newer class of cancer treatments that work by boosting the body’s immune system to recognize and fight cancer cells. This type of therapy is especially useful for advanced liver cancer when other treatments have failed. Liver cancer treatment in India is done with strengthening the immunity power, with the help of immunotherapy. 

It is used by the best liver hospital in India, in severe cases too. The main points of the treatment are:

  • These drugs help the immune system detect and attack liver cancer cells by blocking certain proteins (like PD-1) that cancer cells use to evade immune detection.
  • These are used in combination with checkpoint inhibitors for more effective immune responses against cancer.
  • Pain control using medications like opioids, analgesics. 

 Hormonal Therapy

Hormonal therapy, also known as hormone therapy, is a type of cancer treatment that involves manipulating the body's hormone levels to treat certain types of cancer. It is most commonly used for cancers that are hormone receptor-positive, where the growth of cancer cells is influenced by hormones. While hormonal therapy is widely used for cancers like breast cancer and prostate cancer, it has a limited role in the treatment of liver cancer specifically. Below is an explanation of hormonal therapy, its use in various cancers, and how it works. 

  • Estrogen and progesterone can stimulate the growth of hormone receptor-positive breast cancers.
  • Testosterone can drive the growth of prostate cancer.
  • Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of liver cancer, does not typically respond to hormones, so hormonal therapy is not a standard treatment for liver cancer. 
  • Liver cancer treatment in India is not possible with hormonal therapy alone. If malignancy reaches the reproductive organ (Expected) then it is effective.

Transarterial Therapy

Transarterial treatments involve the delivery of chemotherapy or radiation directly to the tumor by accessing the blood vessels feeding the liver. These are effective for patients who have inoperable liver tumors. This is a combination of the radiation and the chemotherapy, liver cancer treatment in India is possible with palliative care (including transarterial). 

  • Involves injecting chemotherapy drugs directly into the blood vessels that supply the tumor, followed by blocking the blood flow to the tumor.
  • Helps reduce the tumor size and alleviate symptoms.
  • Involves the injection of radioactive beads (like yttrium-90) into the blood vessels feeding the tumor.
  • Effective in treating larger tumors and can be an option when TACE is not effective.

Ablation Therapy

Ablation therapies are minimally invasive treatments that destroy the cancer cells without the need for surgery. These methods are suitable for patients who cannot undergo surgery due to advanced age, liver dysfunction, or other health issues. The best liver cancer treatment in the world is possible with the ablation therapies. There are different terms like cryoablation and microwave ablation for liver cancer treatment in India. 

  • Uses heat from radio waves to target and destroy the tumor.
  • Typically used for small tumors (less than 3 cm in size) and is performed under local anesthesia.
  • Similar to RFA but uses microwave energy to destroy the tumor cells.
  • More effective for larger tumors than RFA.
  • Uses extreme cold to freeze and kill cancer cells.
  • Typically used for small tumors or when other treatments have failed.  

Surgical Therapy 

Surgery is the most effective treatment for liver cancer if the tumor is confined to one area of the liver, and the liver function is still relatively healthy. The two main surgical options are liver resection (removal of part of the liver) and liver transplantation (replacing the diseased liver with a healthy donor liver.

  • A complete liver transplant is performed when cancer is advanced or the liver is severely damaged due to cirrhosis.
  • The transplant not only treats cancer but also the underlying liver disease (such as cirrhosis).
  • Involves finding a donor liver, which can be a challenging process due to the availability of donor organs.
  • Removal of a portion of the liver where the tumor is located.
  • Suitable for patients with a single tumor and healthy liver tissue.
  • Helps in reducing the cancerous tissue and can improve survival rates.

How Many Types of Liver Cancer are There?- Types of Liver Cancer

Liver cancer primarily refers to cancers that originate in the liver, and there are different types based on the specific cells affected and how they behave. Liver cancer treatment in India is possible with the diagnosis of the type of cancer and the possible metastatic areas. Typically liver cancer occurs in the hepatocellular areas, which are involved in the RBC production and the enzyme formation. The common types of liver cancers are: 

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Hepatocellular Carcinoma 

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of liver cancer, accounting for approximately 75-85% of all liver cancer cases. It originates in the hepatocytes, which are the main cells of the liver responsible for various vital functions like metabolism, detoxification, and protein production. Chronic liver diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, cirrhosis (due to alcohol use or fatty liver disease), and liver fibrosis are major risk factors. 

Symptoms Include:
Symptoms may include abdominal pain, jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes), unexplained weight loss, and fatigue. Excessive low or high metabolic rate results in the reduction of the body mass. Liver cancer treatment in India for these cancers is possible with chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Cholangiocarcinoma (Bile Duct Cancer)

Cholangiocarcinoma is a rare form of liver cancer that starts in the bile ducts, which carry bile (a digestive fluid) from the liver to the gallbladder and small intestine. It can occur in three main parts of the bile duct: intrahepatic (inside the liver), perihilar (near where the bile ducts exit the liver), and distal (outside the liver). Conditions such as primary sclerosing cholangitis, hepatitis B or C, liver cirrhosis, and parasitic infections like liver fluke can increase the risk.

Symptoms Are:
There are many symptoms, including fever, jaundice, weight loss, and fatigue. Abdominal pain and itching with severe conditions like disturbed immunity. Liver cancer treatment in India with chronic symptoms can be treated with medications and chemotherapy.

Hepatoblastoma

 Hepatoblastoma is a rare and aggressive liver cancer that primarily affects children, usually under the age of 3. It develops from immature liver cells and is more common in infants and young children. The symptoms can include a palpable mass in the abdomen, abdominal pain, jaundice, and poor weight gain. The prognosis depends on how early the tumor is detected, its stage, and the child's response to treatment.

Symptoms
Abdominal pain with swelling and hardness in the lower abdomen is a common symptom. Poor weight with jaundice and black fever may seem to be the symptoms.

Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinoma (FL-HCC) 

 Fibrolamellar HCC is a rare subtype of hepatocellular carcinoma that is more common in younger adults (usually between the ages of 20 and 40) and is less associated with cirrhosis or chronic liver disease. It arises from the hepatocytes, but unlike typical HCC, it has a unique histologic pattern characterized by fibrous tissue in the tumor.

Symptoms:
Patients may experience abdominal pain, weight loss, and a palpable mass in the abdomen. All types of liver cancer show symptoms of weight loss and different types of fever.

Liver Metastases 

Liver metastasis refers to cancer that has spread to the liver from other parts of the body. This is not a primary liver cancer but is a common form of secondary cancer. The prognosis depends on the primary cancer’s type, stage, and the extent of liver involvement. It may come from pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, and colorectal cancer.

Symptoms:
Symptoms often mirror those of primary liver cancer, such as jaundice, abdominal pain, and weight loss. In extreme and exclusive cases, nails and skin turn blue.

Lymphoma in Liver 

Lymphoma can occur in the liver as either a primary cancer or as part of systemic involvement of a secondary cancer. Primary hepatic lymphoma is a rare form, while secondary lymphoma refers to cancer that has spread to the liver from lymph nodes or other organs. Liver cancer treatment in India for lymphoma is possible but with palliative care. The prognosis for hepatic lymphoma depends on the type and stage of lymphoma and the extent of liver involvement.

Symptoms:
The signs are similar to other types of liver cancer, including abdominal pain, swelling, jaundice, and weight loss. They all disturb the functioning of the hepatic cells, which form enzymes and disturb digestion of the food.

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Liver Cancer Treatment Cost in India: Liver Cancer Surgery Cost

The answer to the question “How much does liver tumor surgery cost?” Liver cancer treatment in India is affordable and comes under certain packages. The cost of liver cancer treatment can vary widely depending on several factors:

  1. Including the stage of cancer.
  2. The type of treatment, 
  3. The healthcare facility
  4. The location, and 
  5. Whether the patient is undergoing surgery
  6. Chemotherapy,
  7. Targeted therapies, 
  8. Liver transplantation

Liver cancer treatment costs around 3 lakhs to 11 lakhs based on the procedure involved, other factors are also counted in the above sections. Liver cancer is a dreadful disease, and patients are horrified after listening to the name of the cancer. There are different costs of the different procedures that are shown in the section below: 

 

Treatment

Cost in INR

Surgery

1 to 8 Lakhs

Ablation Therapy

2 to 6 Lakhs

Chemotherapy

18,000 to 2 Lakh Per Session

Hormonal Therapy

3.2 to 5 Lakhs

Immunotherapy

2 to 6 Lakhs for two years

Radiation Therapy

30,000 to 20 Lakhs

Transarterial Therapy

3 to 7 lakhs

Palliative Care 

Depends on medication used 

These are the Top 10 Liver cancer treatment in India and they could treat different stages of liver cancer. If you want to ensure treatment and care, you can use the official website of the hospitals to call the managers and ask about the treatment packages. 

Top 10 Liver Cancer Treatment in India: Best Liver Cancer Hospital in India 

Here, you can’t compare the treatment with the organ-specific areas. The liver cancer treatment in India has certain levels and patients have to move from one to the other. The best liver cancer treatment in India is possible with palliative care, chemotherapy and radiation. The surgery is possible after the Chemotherapy medication treatment. 

Here are the best hospitals for cancer treatment, which have multispecialties. They are providing assistance in all kinds of treatment with counseling. 

 

Hospital

City

Chittaranjan Cancer Hospital

Kolkata

Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital (I.R.C.H.)

Delhi

Dharamshila Cancer Hospital

Delhi

Barasat Cancer Research & Welfare Centre

Kolkata

Max Super Speciality Hospital

Delhi NCR

VS Hospitals

Chennai

BLK Max Super Speciality Hospital

Delhi

HCG Cancer Hospital

Delhi and Mumbai

Apollo Proton Cancer Centre

Bangalore

Fortis S L Raheja Hospital

Mumbai

Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital

Mumbai

Fortis Hospital

Delhi NCR

Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre

Delhi

Action Cancer Hospital

Delhi

SMH Cancer Centre

Delhi

Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology

Bangalore

Tata Memorial Hospital

Kolkata and Mumbai

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Best Doctor for Liver Cancer in India: List of Best Liver Cancer Surgeons

There are many doctors in different cities of the world, but most of them are not available for emotional support for the patient. Indian doctors don’t support this in the moral field. Liver cancer treatment in India is best possible with a coordinated doctor who understands their concern during the treatment journey. Here are some doctors and their departments working in the liver transplant. After this section, we will give you a brief idea about the cost of the liver transplant. 

 

Doctor's Name

Department

Dr. Aswin Krishna

Transplant Hepatologist, Hepatobiliary Surgeon

Dr. Subhash Gupta

Patient healthcare and Hepatologist,

Dr. Arvinder Soin

Surgery-specific Hepatologist and biliary surgeon

Dr. Mohammad Rela

Medical healthcare, Transplant Hepatologist, Hepatobiliary surgeon

Dr. Vivek Vij

Liver Transplant Surgeons

Dr. Chirag Desai

Medical healthcare, Transplant Hepatologist, Hepatobiliary surgeon

Dr. Arun Prasad

Transplant Hepatologist, Hepatobiliary Surgeon

Dr. Balachandar TG

Surgery hepatic, Cholecystectomy

Dr. Amey Sonavane

Hepatobiliary surgeon, Cholestectomy

Dr. Bhabani Prasad Bordoloi

Liver Transplant Surgeons, Transplant Hepatologist, Hepatobiliary Surgeon

 

Best Services Across Various Generes: We Care Health Services 

We Care Health Services is a coordinated programme for different surgeries like the Liver transplant in India and Liver cancer treatment in India. They are giving treatment for various diseases, including fertility care. The clinic has a personalized approach for patients. Access to hepatologists, oncologists, anesthesiologists, physiotherapists, and pain management specialists ensures comprehensive care before, during, and after surgery.  Hospitals with established liver transplant programs offer everything from donor identification to post-transplant care. Look for hospitals with high liver transplant success rates, and those with experience handling complex cases. You will find reasonable prices with affordable packages. The unique approaches are: 

 

  • It is a good liver cancer hospital that will have a dedicated team of oncologists, hepatologists, and liver surgeons who specialize in liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma or cholangiocarcinoma) and related liver diseases.
  • Liver cancer treatment requires collaboration between specialists like radiologists, pathologists, oncologists, surgical experts, and palliative care providers. All these facilities are provided by the We Care Health Services. 
  • This is the best hospital with a multidisciplinary team that ensures comprehensive treatment plans tailored to the patient's needs.
  • Hospitals offer advanced surgical treatments, including liver resection (partial hepatectomy) and liver transplantation.
  • It is a liver transplant center with high success rates, is particularly crucial for patients with advanced liver cancer.
  • Ablation therapies like Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA), Microwave Ablation (MWA), and cryotherapy are available for patients who are not candidates for surgery.
  • Access to both traditional chemotherapy and targeted therapies such as sorafenib, lenvatinib, or immunotherapy like nivolumab is essential, especially for advanced liver cancer cases.
  • The availability of advanced radiation treatments like Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) and Transarterial Radioembolization (TARE) for tumor shrinkage and symptom management.
  •  We Care is a hospital with high survival rates and positive patient outcomes for liver cancer treatment, which is an important indicator of its effectiveness. 
  • We care Health Services is internationally recognized for liver cancer treatment, tends to have high standards of care and cutting-edge technologies. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

1Is Liver Cancer Curable in India?
Liver cancer, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is often difficult to treat, and whether it is curable depends on various factors, including the stage of cancer, the overall health of the patient, and the treatment options available. Early detection and treatment play a significant role in improving the chances of successful treatment and potential cure. The possible treatments are: Curable with surgery (liver resection) or liver transplant if the tumor is localized and liver function is good. Difficult to cure if cancer has spread beyond the liver (metastatic), but treatment can control the disease and extend life. Liver transplant and surgical resection are potentially curative in early-stage cases. Ablation therapies (RFA, MWA) may offer a cure for small, localized tumors. Targeted therapies and immunotherapy help control cancer in advanced stages.
2Can Liver Cancer be Treated?
If liver cancer is detected at an early stage and is confined to a single area of the liver, treatment options like surgery (liver resection or liver transplant) or ablation therapies (e.g., radiofrequency ablation) can offer the possibility of a cure. Early treatment improves survival rates significantly. If the cancer has spread beyond the liver (to other organs), it becomes much harder to treat and is generally considered incurable.
3What is the Success Rate of Liver Cancer Treatment?
The success rate of liver cancer treatment depends on various factors such as the stage of cancer, the patient's overall health, the treatment modality, and the presence of underlying liver diseases (e.g., cirrhosis, hepatitis). The overview of success rate is: Approximately 50% to 70% in patients with early-stage liver cancer, especially if the liver is otherwise healthy and the tumor is localized. Around 70% to 80% for patients with early-stage liver cancer and cirrhosis who undergo liver transplantation. Success depends on matching donors and the patient’s ability to tolerate the transplant procedure. Success rates vary, but 5-year survival rates are generally around 30% to 50% for patients with small, localized tumors that can be treated using ablation methods. The success rate is often lower compared to surgery or transplant, with survival rates around 30% to 50% over 5 years, depending on the response to treatment.
4 Is Stage 4 Liver Cancer Treatment in India Possible?
Stage 4 liver cancer is considered advanced liver cancer, meaning the cancer has spread beyond the liver to other parts of the body (e.g., the lungs, bones, or lymph nodes). At this stage, the cancer is often not curable through traditional methods like surgery. However, treatment is still possible and can help extend survival, alleviate symptoms, and improve quality of life. The possible treatment methods are: Systemic chemotherapy may be used to try to shrink tumors or slow the progression of cancer. However, liver cancer does not always respond well to standard chemotherapy. Sorafenib (Nexavar), Lenvatinib, and other targeted therapies can help control the disease by targeting specific molecules involved in cancer growth. Immunotherapy uses drugs like nivolumab (Opdivo) and pembrolizumab (Keytruda) to help the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. Transarterial Chemomobilization is a treatment where chemotherapy drugs are directly delivered to the tumor through the blood vessels and then followed by embolization (blocking blood flow to the tumor).
5Which hospital is best for liver cancer?
We Care Health Services is a best hospital with various treatment options, including transarterial and ablation therapies. It is a good liver cancer hospital that will have a dedicated team of oncologists, hepatologists, and liver surgeons who specialize in liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma or cholangiocarcinoma) and related liver diseases. Hospitals offer advanced surgical treatments, including liver resection (partial hepatectomy) and liver transplantation.
6What is the most successful treatment for liver cancer?
Transarterial chemomobilization or TACE can help control the growth of liver tumors, but it is typically more effective for localized tumors rather than those that have spread widely. TACE is a treatment where chemotherapy drugs are directly delivered to the tumor through the blood vessels and then followed by embolization (blocking blood flow to the tumor). This is typically used for patients who cannot undergo surgery.