Liver cancer, primarily hepatocellular carcinoma, is a common malignancy, particularly in individuals with chronic hepatitis virus infection or cirrhosis. Early detection allows for curative treatment through surgery or local interventions. However, the disease's non-specific symptoms often lead to late-stage diagnosis, making treatment more challenging.

Immunotherapy is a systemic treatment that activates the body's immune system, enabling it to more effectively recognize and attack cancer cells. This approach slows disease progression and extends survival for patients. Immunotherapy drugs have become a cornerstone in the treatment of advanced-stage liver cancer.

Doctor Diep advises a patient. Illustration: Tam Anh General Hospital

Doctors typically prescribe immunotherapy drugs for patients with advanced liver cancer, characterized by large tumor sizes, vascular invasion, and surrounding structural involvement. Immunotherapy may also be used for cases with distant metastatic lesions, when curative surgery is no longer an option, or when systemic treatment is required from the outset. According to some new treatment guidelines, immunotherapy drugs can be used alone or combined with targeted therapy drugs to enhance treatment efficacy.

Compared to conventional chemotherapy, immunotherapy is generally better tolerated, though it can still cause side effects such as hypertension, itching, rash, diarrhea, stomach pain, vomiting, nosebleeds, and immune-related inflammation of organs (liver, lungs, intestines – rare but requiring close monitoring). Patients or their families should report any unusual symptoms to their doctor. Supportive or palliative care methods, including pain medication, enhanced nutrition, a healthy lifestyle, rest, relaxation, and psychological support, contribute to improving the patient's physical condition and quality of life.

You should take your father to a hospital with an Oncology department for examination; the doctor will determine the most suitable treatment method based on his condition.

Doctor Kim Thi Be Diep

Department of Medical Oncology

Oncology Center

Tam Anh General Hospital, TP HCM

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