The majority of the tumor may be removed by surgery but there may be tiny amounts of cancerous cells remaining in the liver after the surgery. The whole tumor cannot be completely removed by surgery and the surgeon may only do a biopsy of the tumor for diagnosis. At times, a portion of the tumor may be removed. The tumor has spread to other parts of the body such as the lungs or bones. Most treatment protocols will last for six to eight months, depending on how the tumor responds to the treatment.
Chemotherapy is the use of medications to kill cancer cells.
It is used to treat all stages of liver cancer, even if the tumor has been completely removed. Chemotherapy does not destroy only cancer cells, but also affects the growth of normal cells and therefore has side effects which will be explained to you. Surgery involves the removal of the tumor and possibly part of the liver where the tumor is located. The liver has the ability to regenerate. Approximately 85 percent of the liver may be removed and may still have the ability to regenerate and sustain life.