where to go to get liver treatment

Procedures

Liver Gallbladder and Pancreas. The goal of treatment is to prolong life without compromising the quality of life. Treatment options include: Surgical resection. Liver transplantation. Transarterial chemoembolization. Radiofrequency ablation. Oral medication. Liver cancer prevention.

Nutrition

The American Cancer Society also has programs and services – including rides to treatment, lodging, and more – to help you get through treatment. Call our National Cancer Information Center at 1-800-227-2345 and speak with one of our trained specialists.

What is the treatment for liver disease?

Treatment options might include ablation, embolization, or both for the liver tumor (s). Other options may include targeted therapy, immunotherapy , chemotherapy (either systemic or by hepatic artery infusion), and/or radiation therapy. For some of these cancers, treatment may shrink the tumor (s) enough so that surgery (partial hepatectomy or ...

What should I do if I have pain in my liver?

A liver transplant is surgery to replace a diseased liver with a healthy liver from another person. A whole liver may be transplanted, or just part of one. In most cases the healthy liver will come from an organ donor who has just died. Sometimes a healthy living person will donate part of their liver. A living donor may be a family member.

How to get through liver cancer?

If your enlarged liver is the result of an acute condition, treating the condition will allow your liver to heal. If it’s the result of chronic liver disease, it can potentially be reversed and in some cases cured with lifestyle changes. For example: If you have alcohol use disorder, get help to quit drinking alcohol.

What kind of Doctor do you see for liver problems?

Doctors also treat liver cancer with a liver transplant. Liver failure. Liver failure, also called end-stage liver disease, happens when the liver stops working. The only treatment for liver failure is a liver transplant. Other Complications. Your doctor may treat other complications through changes in medicines, diet, or physical activity ...

What doctor do you go to for the liver?

What can a doctor do to help your liver?

What is the best treatment for the liver?

Should I go to the hospital for my liver?

How do I know if my liver is OK?

How do you know if your liver is struggling?

What are the 4 warning signs of a damaged liver?

What are the five signs of liver damage?

How do you fix liver damage?

Should I go to the ER if my liver hurts?

Is liver damage life threatening?

Is liver disease an emergency?

Which Treatments Are Used For Liver Cancer?

In creating your treatment plan, important factors to consider include the stage (extent) of the cancer and the health of the rest of your liver. B...

Which Doctors Treat Liver Cancer?

Depending on your situation, you may have different types of doctors on your treatment team. These doctors may include: 1. A surgeon: a doctor who...

Making Treatment Decisions

It is important to discuss all of your treatment options, including their goals and possible side effects, with your doctors to help make the decis...

Help Getting Through Treatment

Your cancer care team will be your first source of information and support, but there are other resources for help when you need it. Hospital- or c...

Potentially Resectable Or Transplantable Liver Cancers (Stage I and Some Stage II Tumors)

Potentially resectable: If your cancer is early stage and the rest of your liver is healthy, surgery (partial hepatectomy) may cure you. Only a sma...

Unresectable Liver Cancers (Some T1 to T4, N0, M0 Tumors)

Unresectable cancers include cancers that haven’t yet spread to lymph nodes or distant sites, but can’t be removed safely by partial hepatectomy. T...

Inoperable Liver Cancers With only Local Disease

These cancers are small enough and in the right place to be removed but the patient isn’t healthy enough for surgery. Treatment options include abl...

Advanced (Metastatic) Liver Cancers (Includes All N1 Or M1 Tumors)

Advanced liver cancer has spread either to the lymph nodes or to other organs. Because these cancers are widespread, they cannot be treated with su...

Liver Cancer Treatment: Surgical Resection

For noncirrhotic patients with liver cancer, surgery is the treatment of choice. Surgical resection, in which your surgeon removes the cancerous part of the liver, offers the best possibility for a positive outcome.

Liver Cancer Treatment: Liver Transplantation

If you have small tumors or advanced cirrhosis, a liver transplant is usually recommended. During a liver transplantation, your surgeon removes your entire liver and replaces it with a healthy one. The liver may come from a donor who has died, or a healthy person may donate part of his or her liver for you.

Liver Cancer Treatment: Transarterial Chemoembolization

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is an interventional radiological therapy. It is the most commonly performed procedure to treat liver tumors that are inoperable or for patients with liver cancer who are waiting for liver transplant.

Liver Cancer Treatment: Radio Frequency Ablation

The goal of radio frequency ablation (RFA) is to destroy the cancerous tissue by applying heat. When the temperature is greater than 90 degrees Celsius, the tumor begins to break down. RFA can be performed percutaneously (through the skin) or during surgery. During radio frequency ablation:

Liver Cancer Treatment: Oral Medication

There is one FDA-approved oral medication to treat liver cancer. This medication does not permanently treat liver cancer, but it prolongs patient survival. It is used in patients whose liver cancer can’t be resected or transplanted. It may be used in association with other treatments, such as TACE.

Liver Cancer Prevention

Unfortunately, many patients with liver cancer are diagnosed at a late stage, when it is nearly impossible to cure the cancer. Regular screening for liver cancer may improve outcomes by detecting small tumors in the early stages.

Liver Cancer Treatment: Radiation

Radiation therapy is an emerging area of liver cancer treatment. It may be used to treat liver cancer in patients who are not eligible for surgery or a transplant. Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is considered the most effective method of radiation for liver cancer.

What kind of doctor treats liver cancer?

These doctors may include: A surgical oncologist: a doctor who treats cancer with surgery. A radiation oncologist: a doctor who treats cancer with radiation therapy. A medical oncologist: a doctor who treats cancer ...

What is the number to call for cancer treatment?

Call our National Cancer Information Center at 1-800-227-2345 and speak with one of our trained specialists. Palliative Care. Find Support Programs and Services in Your Area.

What are the different types of doctors?

Depending on your situation, you may have different types of doctors on your treatment team. These doctors may include: 1 A surgical oncologist: a doctor who treats cancer with surgery. 2 A radiation oncologist: a doctor who treats cancer with radiation therapy. 3 A medical oncologist: a doctor who treats cancer with medicines such as chemotherapy., targeted therapy, or immunotherapy. 4 A gastroenterologist: a doctor who specializes in treating diseases of the digestive system, including the liver. 5 An interventional radiologist: A doctor who specializes in procedures such as ablations and embolizations.

What is interventional radiology?

An interventional radiologist: A doctor who specializes in procedures such as ablations and embolizations. Many other specialists may be involved in your care as well, including nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, nutritionists, rehabilitation specialists, and other health professionals. Health Professionals Associated with Cancer Care.

Why is it important to discuss all of your treatment options with your doctor?

It is important to discuss all of your treatment options, including their goals and possible side effects, with your doctors to help make the decision that best fits your needs. Some important things to consider include:

Why are clinical trials important?

Clinical trials are one way to get state-of-the art cancer treatment. In some cases they may be the only way to get access to newer treatments. They are also the best way for doctors to learn better methods to treat cancer. Still, they're not right for everyone.

What is complementary medicine?

Complementary methods refer to treatments that are used along with your regular medical care. Alternative treatments are used instead of a doctor’s medical treatment.

What is the best medicine for liver failure?

Medications to reverse poisoning. Acute liver failure caused by acetaminophen overdose is treated with a medication called acetylcysteine. This medication may also help treat other causes of acute liver failure.

Can liver failure be reversed?

Medications can help reduce the fluid buildup in your brain. Liver transplant. When acute liver failure can't be reversed, the only treatment may be a liver transplant. During a liver transplant, a surgeon removes your damaged liver and replaces it with ...

How to diagnose liver failure?

Tests and procedures used to diagnose acute liver failure include: Blood tests. Blood tests are done to determine how well your liver works. A prothrombin time test measures how long it takes your blood to clot. With acute liver failure, blood doesn't clot as quickly as it should. Imaging tests.

What happens when you get a liver transplant?

During a liver transplant, a surgeon removes your damaged liver and replaces it with a healthy liver from a donor. Screening for infections. Your medical team will take samples of your blood and urine every now and then to be tested for infection.

Can hepatocytes be transplanted?

Hepatocyte transplantation. Transplanting only the cells of the liver — not the entire organ — may temporarily delay the need for a liver transplant. In some cases, it could lead to a complete recovery. A shortage of good-quality donor livers has limited the use of this treatment. Auxiliary liver transplantation.

What to do if you have an infection?

If your doctor suspects that you have an infection, you'll receive medications to treat the infection. Preventing severe bleeding. Your doctor can give you medications to reduce the risk of bleeding. If you lose a lot of blood, your doctor may perform tests to find the source of the blood loss.

What is the best treatment for a swollen liver?

For people whose liver is functioning well enough (Child-Pugh class A or B), initial treatment options might include: 1 The immunotherapy drug atezolizumab (Tecentriq) plus the targeted drug bevacizumab (Avastin) 2 Either of the targeted drugs sorafenib (Nexavar) or lenvatinib (Lenvima)

Can you get a liver transplant if you have cancer?

Potentially transplantable. If your cancer is at an early stage, but the rest of your liver isn’ t healthy, you may be able to be treated with a liver transplant. Liver transplant may also be an option if the tumor is in a part of the liver that makes it hard to remove (such as very close to a large blood vessel).

Can liver cancer be resectable?

Potentially resectable. If your cancer is early stage and the rest of your liver is healthy, surgery (partial hepatectomy) may cure you. Only a small number of people with liver cancer are in this category. Important factors that may influence the outcome are the size of the tumor (s) and if nearby blood vessels are affected.

Can liver cancer come back after surgery?

Larger tumors or those that invade blood vessels are more likely to come back in the liver or spread elsewhere after surgery. How well your liver is working and your general health are also important. For some people with early-stage liver cancer, a liver transplant could be another option.

What is it called when liver cancer comes back?

Cancer that comes back after treatment is called recurrent. Recurrence can be local (in or near the same place it started) or distant (spread to organs such as the lungs or bone). Treatment of liver cancer that returns after initial therapy depends on many factors, including where it comes back, the type of initial treatment, ...

What are the stages of liver cancer?

Although the AJCC (TNM) staging system (see Liver Cancer Stages) is often used to describe the spread of a liver cancer, doctors use a more practical system to determine treatment options. Liver cancers are often categorized as: 1 Potentially resectable or transplantable cancer 2 Unresectable (inoperable) cancer that has not spread 3 Advanced cancer

Can you transplant a whole liver?

A whole liver may be transplanted, or just part of one. In most cases the healthy liver will come from an organ donor who has just died. Sometimes a healthy living person will donate part of their liver. A living donor may be a family member.

Can you live without a liver?

You can’t live without a working liver. If your liver stops working properly, you may need a transplant. A liver transplant may be recommended if you have end-stage liver disease (chronic liver failure). This is a serious, life-threatening liver disease. It can be caused by several liver conditions.

What is a virtual advisor at Johns Hopkins?

Johns Hopkins Medicine Virtual Advisors (Virtual Advisors) is a group of individuals who share their insights about the Johns Hopkins care experience. One to two times per month, Virtual Advisors receive a link to short, interactive surveys. All responses are confidential.

What is a liver transplant?

A liver transplant is surgery to replace a diseased liver with a healthy liver from another person. A whole liver may be transplanted, or just part of one. In most cases the healthy liver will come from an organ donor who has just died. Sometimes a healthy living person will donate part of their liver. A living donor may be a family member.

Can a liver transplant grow back?

The liver is the only organ in the body that can replace lost or injured tissue (regenerate). The donor’s liver will soon grow back to normal size after surgery. The part that you receive as a new liver will also grow to normal size in a few weeks.

What happens if your liver stops working properly?

If your liver stops working properly, you may need a transplant. A liver transplant may be recommended if you have end-stage liver disease (chronic liver failure). This is a serious, life-threatening liver disease. It can be caused by several liver conditions. Cirrhosis is a common cause of end-stage liver disease.

Can you get a liver transplant if you have a liver failure?

A liver transplant may be recommended if you have end-stage liver disease (chron ic liver failure). This is a serious, life-threatening liver disease. It can be caused by several liver conditions. Cirrhosis is a common cause of end-stage liver disease. It is a chronic liver disease.

How to treat enlarged liver?

Treatment for an enlarged liver depends on what is causing it. Lifestyle changes can help when the liver enlargement is a result of fat accumulation in the liver or consuming alcohol. Lifestyle changes include: 1 Losing weight 2 Cutting back or eliminating alcohol 3 Eating a healthy diet 4 Increasing exercise and physical activity

How to tell if liver is enlarged?

An enlarged liver may occur along with other symptoms, especially if the underlying cause is a primary liver disease. These symptoms may include: 1 Fatigue 2 Jaundice (yellowing of the whites of the eyes and skin) 3 Nausea and vomiting 4 Pain in the upper middle or upper right side of the abdomen 5 Filling up quickly after meals

Is enlarged liver a disease?

An enlarged liver is a symptom of an underlying problem, but is not a disease itself. An enlarged liver may occur along with other symptoms, depending on the underlying disease that is causing it. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission.

What causes a large liver?

For some people, an enlarged liver results from consuming too many toxins, including alcohol, medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or supplements.

Can acetaminophen cause liver cirrhosis?

For some people, an enlarged liver results from consuming too many toxins, including alcohol, medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or supplements. Long-term exposure to high doses of toxic substances (including alcohol), medications or supplements can cause cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver. Other diseases and medical conditions that can ...

What causes liver cirrhosis?

Long-term exposure to high doses of toxic substances (including alcohol), medications or supplements can cause cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver. Other diseases and medical conditions that can cause the liver to enlarge include:

What causes the liver to enlarge?

Other diseases and medical conditions that can cause the liver to enlarge include: Cancers, including liver cancer or cancer from other organs metastasizing (spreading) to the liver, especially colon cancer, pancreatic cancer and lung cancer. Blood backflow from the heart as a result of congestive heart failure or other diseases affecting ...

How to get rid of liver cancer?

Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. Avoid raw or undercooked shellfish, fish, and meat. Try to keep a healthy body weight. Talk with your doctor about your risk for getting liver cancer and how often you should be checked.

Can cirrhosis be cured?

Some of the diseases that cause cirrhosis can be cured. Treating the underlying causes of cirrhosis may keep your cirrhosis from getting worse and help prevent liver failure. Successful treatment may slowly improve some of your liver scarring.

How to stop cirrhosis from getting worse?

What can I do to help keep my cirrhosis from getting worse? 1 Do not drink alcohol or use illegal drugs. 2 Talk with your doctor before taking#N#prescription medicines#N#prescription and over-the-counter sleep aids#N#over-the-counter medicines, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and acetaminophen#N#NIH external link#N#dietary supplements#N#NIH external link#N#, including herbal supplements. 3 Take your medicines as directed. 4 Get a vaccine for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, flu#N#NIH external link#N#, pneumonia#N#NIH external link#N#caused by certain bacteria#N#NIH external link#N#, and shingles#N#NIH external link#N#. 5 Get a screening blood test for hepatitis C. 6 Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. 7 Avoid raw or undercooked shellfish, fish, and meat. 8 Try to keep a healthy body weight#N#NIH external link#N#.

Can you drink alcohol with cirrhosis?

Doctors most often treat the causes of cirrhosis with medicines. Your doctor will recommend that you stop activities such as drinking alcohol and taking certain medicines that may have caused cirrhosis or may make cirrhosis worse .

Can you stop taking cirrhosis medicine?

The only specific treatment for most cases of cirrhosis caused by certain medicines is to stop taking the medicine that caused the problem . Talk with your doctor before you stop taking any medicines.

Can chronic hepatitis C be treated?

Chronic hepatitis C. If you have chronic hepatitis C, your doctor may prescribe one or more medicines that have been approved to treat hepatitis C since 2013. Studies have shown that these medicines can cure chronic hepatitis C in 80 to 95 percent of people with this disease. 5.

What is it called when you have a swollen leg?

Swelling in your legs, ankles, or feet, called edema. Your doctor may prescribe medicines that remove fluid from your body. Your doctor will recommend limiting the amount of salt in your diet. Buildup of fluid in your abdomen, called ascites. Your doctor may prescribe medicines that remove fluid from your body.

What is the best treatment for liver disease?

Once your liver condition has been diagnosed, you’ll probably be prescribed drugs to manage the condition and lessen your pain. Hepatitis B antiviral drugs exist for treating chronic disease, such as lamivudine (Epivir) and adefovir (Hepsera).

How can liver disease be managed?

By getting proper medical care, modifying your diet and lifestyle, and making sure that you look after your body, most liver disease can be effectively managed — if not cured completely.

How to tell if liver is swollen?

Associated symptoms of liver pain may include: 1 fatigue 2 yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes 3 dark brownish urine 4 swelling in the ankles or legs 5 itchy skin 6 loss of appetite

What causes liver pain?

Hepatitis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and excessive alcohol consumption are the most common causes of liver problems. Liver pain can also indicate cirrhosis, Reye’s syndrome, liver cancer, and hemochromatosis. Sometimes pain felt in the same general area of the liver is actually caused by issues in the gallbladder, the pancreas, ...

How to treat liver pain?

The treatment for your liver pain will depend on what’s causing it. Treating your liver disease will probably start with addressing what you eat and drink. The liver is one of the few organs in the body that can repair and regenerate itself.

What does it mean when your liver hurts?

When you feel pain that comes from your liver, it’s a signal that there’s something happening in your body that needs to be addressed.

What is the job of the liver?

The liver’s job is to detoxify and help flush out waste and convert food to nutritional products your body needs.

What is the best way to see the liver?

Imaging — Tests like a CT scan, MRI, or ultrasound allow physicians to get a better view of the liver. Magnetic Resonance Elastography — This is a noninvasive test which uses soundwaves to form a visual map that shows the current stiffness of the liver. It’s often done as an alternative to a liver biopsy.

How to get a sample of liver tissue?

Liver Biopsy — Your doctor may perform a liver biopsy to get a sample of your liver tissue to send out for lab testing. The procedure involves inserting a long, thin needle into your liver through the skin. Once your doctor understands what is causing your inflamed liver, they can figure out how to treat both it and the disorder that’s causing ...

How to tell if liver is inflamed?

Symptoms of an inflamed liver can include: 1 Feelings of fatigue 2 Jaundice (a condition that causes your skin and the whites of your eyes to turn yellow) 3 Feeling full quickly after a meal 4 Nausea 5 Vomiting 6 Pain in the abdomen

Why does my liver swell?

Nausea. Vomiting. Pain in the abdomen. You can develop an inflamed liver because of excessive consumption of alcohol. The liver can also become swollen from processing too many other toxins, such as excess amounts of acetaminophen or other supplements and medications.

Can cirrhosis cause liver damage?

An inflamed liver is one of the side effects of cirrhosis. The scar tissue makes it difficult for the liver to function normally. This illness can be life-threatening when it reaches an advanced stage. It’s difficult to undo the damage from cirrhosis, however, seeking help from a medical doctor may be able to limit further damage to the liver.

What is the condition where the liver is inflamed?

Amyloidosis is a rare disorder of the liver caused by the buildup of an abnormal protein called amyloid. It prevents the liver from performing its normal functions. These aren’t commonly found in the body, but can form from a combination of other types of protein. Symptoms of this disease include the presence of an inflamed liver.

How do you know if you have a liver cyst?

Signs that you may have liver cysts include pain, discomfort, and feelings of fullness in the abdomen. The cysts can start bleeding, leading to severe pains in the shoulder and upper body. Your doctor may recommend surgery to remove them.