Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Thao, Second-Degree Specialist Doctor and Medical Director of Hoan My Saigon Hospital, stated on the sidelines of a scientific workshop on updating multimodal treatment advancements for liver cancer, organized by the hospital on 13/6, that liver cancer remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, not only in Vietnam but globally. In recent years, the disease has shown a trend of appearing in younger people.

According to Dr. Thao, in addition to common causes like hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or cirrhosis, fatty liver disease is emerging as an increasingly prevalent risk factor. This condition is closely linked to modern lifestyles, including consuming excessive fast food, fried and grilled dishes, a sedentary lifestyle, chronic stress, and metabolic disorders.

"When fatty liver disease progresses over an extended period, the liver's metabolic function declines, increasing the risk of liver cell damage and contributing to the development of liver cancer," the doctor explained.

Liver cancer is dangerous because its early stages present almost no clear symptoms. Many patients only discover the disease when the tumor has progressed, exhibiting signs such as dull pain in the liver region, poor appetite, weight loss, or jaundice. This often leads to many cases missing the critical early stage for treatment. Therefore, high-risk individuals, such as those with hepatitis B or C infection, cirrhosis, fatty liver disease, or regular alcohol consumption, should undergo periodic screenings every 3-6 months for early detection.

Doctors at Hoan My Saigon Hospital consult with a patient. Photo: Hospital provided

Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Bao Long, Master of Science and Executive Director of Hoan My Saigon Hospital, believes that treating liver cancer is no longer a battle for a single specialty. Instead, patients require access to a multidisciplinary coordination model to optimize survival rates and treatment efficacy.

Previously, liver cancer treatment was often compartmentalized among specialties, with patients undergoing surgery, liver transplant, tumor ablation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or palliative care depending on the disease stage. However, most patients in Vietnam have underlying cirrhosis, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C, making a single treatment method often suboptimal and potentially impacting remaining liver function.

According to Dr. Tran Cong Duy Long, Doctor of Philosophy and Head of the Hepatobiliary-Pancreatic Surgery Department, and Head of the Liver Transplant Unit at University Medical Center TP HCM, multimodal treatment combines various methods such as surgery, interventional radiology, tumor ablation, and immunotherapy, tailored to the disease stage. Patients receive multidisciplinary consultations to develop appropriate protocols, increasing the chances of surgery or curative treatment even for cases previously deemed difficult to intervene.

Liver tumor surgery at Hoan My Saigon Hospital. Photo: Hospital provided

According to Globocan 2022, Vietnam recorded approximately 24,500 new cases of liver cancer, ranking second in new cancer cases among all types and being the leading cause of cancer death.

Le Phuong