Is Interventional Therapy Effective for Liver Cancer?

Interventional therapy can be a highly effective treatment option for certain liver cancer patients who meet specific criteria. This minimally invasive procedure involves inserting a catheter through the hepatic artery, allowing doctors to deliver contrast dye to locate the tumor. Once identified, substances such as iodized oil or chemotherapy drugs are injected directly into the tumor to inhibit cancer cell growth.

Patients who may benefit most from this type of therapy typically meet the following conditions:

Good liver function is essential for successful interventional therapy. Additionally, the tumor should be relatively small—usually no larger than 5 cm—and present in limited numbers, typically one or two, with a maximum of three tumors.

The effectiveness of interventional therapy largely depends on the tumor's blood supply characteristics:

Tumors with a rich blood supply respond better to treatment. In such cases, the injected medication can be efficiently delivered through the bloodstream to the tumor site, effectively suppressing tumor growth.

In contrast, tumors with poor blood flow may not respond well to this therapy. Since the medication cannot reach the tumor effectively, the treatment outcome is often less successful.

Another limiting factor is the presence of vascular abnormalities, such as arteriovenous fistulas. In these cases, the injected drugs bypass the tumor and flow directly into the veins, significantly reducing the effectiveness of the treatment.

Overall, while interventional therapy offers a promising approach for certain liver cancer patients, it's crucial to evaluate each case individually to determine whether this method is the best fit for treatment.