Things to know before a liver transplant - Treatment of liver cancer

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was written by doctors from Internal Oncology Department - Vinmec Times City International General Hospital.
Currently, the demand for liver transplantation in Vietnam is very large and rapidly increasing, with an estimated 1,500 people waiting for a liver transplant. With an experienced team as well as possessing modern medical equipment, doctors working at the Department of Internal Medicine oncology Vinmec Times City will help you better understand this method in the article below.
1. To conduct a liver transplant, what does the patient need? 1.1 Mandatory examinations and tests If the patient is in poor health, the doctor may require hospitalization for monitoring. Patients will be examined and necessary tests done, considering the following factors:
Health status and medications being taken Life habits (eg drinking, using drugs or smoking) Family members and support system 1.2 Conditions for a liver transplant Not every patient who comes to a liver transplant center can have a transplant. Patients will be evaluated for certain conditions:
Have severe liver disease that has not been treated by other methods No serious heart or lung problems, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Within 5 no cancer for the past year and now No alcohol or drug use Willing to take medication for life after surgery If the patient meets the above criteria, they will be included in the list wait liver. 1.3. From whom does the patient receive a liver donation? Most liver transplant recipients are receiving liver donations from relatives and friends.
For example, parents can donate part of their liver to their children. After surgery, the donor and recipient of the liver must both be monitored for a few days before going home. Your doctor will do tests periodically to make sure your new liver is working properly. People who receive a liver transplant will have to take anti-rejection drugs for life to help the immune system accept the new liver. Normally, the immune system helps people stay healthy by attacking foreign invaders, avoiding the rejection of new livers.

2. Common problems after a liver transplant Most people with a liver transplant recover from surgery and can go back to work and have normal activities. But there are others who have problems right after surgery or after a few years:
Rejection of a new liver: Some patients, despite taking anti-rejection drugs, still cannot accept the new liver. Recurrent liver disease: There are some liver diseases that can recur after a transplant. Side effects of anti-rejection drugs: The drug has short-term side effects. For example, medication increases the risk of getting an infection. The drug also has long-term side effects. For example, drugs can increase the risk of certain types of cancer. 3. What should the patient do after a liver transplant? After treatment, the patient will have regular check-ups, blood tests and imaging tests to make sure the cancer doesn't come back. Patients should actively monitor the symptoms of liver cancer mentioned above. If any of these symptoms are present, it could be a sign of a recurrence of the cancer. If the cancer recurs or metastasizes, the doctor will continue to advise on treatment options.
Note:
Patients need to strictly follow the doctor's instructions on the follow-up examination and diagnosis. For patients with liver cancer, especially those who have chronic liver disease, must limit alcohol and stimulants because these substances are very harmful to the liver.
If the cancer recurs or metastasizes, the doctor will continue to advise the appropriate treatment options. Always talk to your doctor and nurse during treatment. Whenever treatment is recommended, the patient should ask:
What are the benefits of the treatment? Will it help me live longer? Does it limit or prevent symptoms? Is this treatment harmful? Is there a treatment regimen other than this one? What if I don't get treatment?

Up to now, Vinmec Times City International Hospital is the first private hospital in Vietnam to transplant a liver from a living donor and successfully performed one of the first acute liver transplants in the country. Vinmec's mastery of liver transplantation - the most difficult technique in the field of organ transplantation has opened up new hopes and options for patients with indications for this treatment.

Hopefully with the above sharing, you will have for yourself the necessary knowledge about liver transplant methods to treat liver cancer. Depending on each case, progress and needs of treatment - personal care, please make an appointment on the website for service.


In April & May 2021, when there is a need for liver cancer examination and treatment at Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital, customers will enjoy dual incentives:
- Free specialist examination and free of charge Fees for tests and scans
-Reduce 50% of costs for customers who have a prescription for post-examination treatment. The program is limited to the corresponding technique of each hospital and to customers who perform this treatment technique for the first time at Vinmec.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.