Doha: A study conducted by researchers at the Cedars-Sinai Cancer Center in the United States has revealed a new approach that may help extend the lives of patients with advanced liver cancer. Based on an analysis of data from more than 4,300 liver cancer patients, the findings showed that individuals with advanced-stage liver cancer could live significantly longer if they undergo a liver transplant or surgical tumor removal after receiving immunotherapy.
According to Qatar News Agency, the study explained that while immunotherapy can shrink tumors, it does not completely cure the disease. However, if this shrinkage makes a liver transplant or surgical resection possible, the overall risk of death decreases by 85 percent compared with patients who receive immunotherapy alone.
The researchers noted that despite the effectiveness of these procedures, only about 3 percent of patients who receive immunotherapy are later referred for surgical intervention - most often at major academic medical centers. The study's lead author, Dr. Jiudong Yang, emphasized the potential benefits of surgical options, stating, "Not offering liver transplantation or surgery in advanced cases is a missed opportunity for a potential cure. Many patients do not die from the tumor itself, but from underlying liver diseases that can be treated through transplantation."
Advanced liver cancer is a stage in which the cancer has reached the liver and other organs, causing symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, severe fatigue, jaundice, and abdominal swelling due to fluid buildup. Treatment at this stage often focuses on options such as targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or locoregional chemotherapy, with an emphasis on improving quality of life.