Primary liver cancer is one of the common malignant tumors in our country, and most patients cannot remove the tumor surgically. A treatment strategy of “shrink first and then remove” has been developed in Hong Kong, my country. Through a combination of three-dimensional positioning radiation therapy and immunotherapy, it can eliminate intermediate-stage liver cancer tumors in a targeted manner and improve the chance of complete radical treatment. At present, the research samples show that the treatment plan is effective, the treatment efficiency is 100%, and all tumors have no signs of spread or recurrence.
No surgery or hospitalization is required, and the effect is significant
Traditional radiation therapy will use low doses for patients for a five- to seven-week course of treatment, while stereo positioning radiation therapy (SRS) is the opposite, it uses high doses to completely destroy the tumor in several treatments. In simple terms, this kind of treatment uses not a scalpel, but a beam of light, which can reach the depths of the human body that are difficult for the surgeon to touch. If the patient is too old or seriously ill to be suitable for surgery, this therapy can be selected.
Researchers stated that this combined treatment regimen is a novel strategy, primarily targeting patients with tumors no smaller than 8 centimeters, not affecting major blood vessels, and fewer than four tumors in number. The entire treatment lasts approximately 5 to 6 months. Confirmed patients first undergo iodine oil application, followed by stereotactic radiotherapy to eliminate the tumor, a course that takes 5 days. Immunotherapy is then administered 2 to 3 weeks later, with injections given approximately every 2 to 3 weeks for a period of 4 months.
In addition to targeting liver cancer tumors larger than 8 cm in size, this treatment plan also needs to meet the requirements of people who cannot be cured by surgery, have not developed jaundice or ascites, have no immune system disorders, and have not spread to other organs in order to receive treatment. In addition, the treatment methods in the form of radiation are more accurate and effective than traditional drug control, and immunotherapy will strengthen the patient's immune system, making the treatment effect more significant, and the whole process does not require hospitalization, anesthesia and surgical wounds.
Treatment progress of liver cancer cases: 3 people were successfully cured
Since 2018, the Hong Kong Hospital has provided combined treatment for 5 patients aged 54 to 86 years old. After receiving stereo positioning radiation therapy, they have received intravenous drugs for immunotherapy every 3 weeks for 4 months.
Preliminary results showed that the patients' tumors ranged in size from 8.5 cm to 16 cm, and shrank by more than 30% to 84% after treatment. This included a 65-year-old patient with a 16 cm liver tumor who shrank by more than 70% after treatment. Three patients were cured after treatment, while the remaining two elderly patients are under continued observation. The disease-free survival rate ranged from 8.6 months to 17.2 months, including a 77-year-old patient who survived for 17.2 months after treatment but died of pneumonia.
Mr. K, who is 55 years old, was diagnosed with liver cancer the year before last. The tumor is about 9 cm large and is located in the center of the liver. It should not be surgically removed. After discussing with the doctor and participating in this new treatment plan, the tumor was greatly reduced by 84.4% after treatment, as small as 1.4 cm. In March this year, radiofrequency ablation was used for radical treatment. So far, there has been no recurrence. He has now returned to work.
Reminder from the United Cancer Center of Hong Kong: Clinical treatment results show that the new therapy of three-dimensional positioning radiation therapy combined with immunotherapy can achieve the purpose of radical treatment of liver cancer and give patients a chance to regain their lives.
