Liver Cancer Patients Life Expectancy After Surgery and Interventional Therapy

Survival duration varies significantly among liver cancer patients following surgical resection and subsequent interventional therapy. Many patients can achieve long-term survival or even clinical cure if the tumor does not recur. However, recurrence can significantly reduce the life expectancy, which explains the wide variation in survival periods among patients.

For patients diagnosed with early-stage liver cancer, surgical removal often suffices without the need for additional interventional therapy. These patients generally have a 5-year survival rate exceeding 60%. In contrast, those with intermediate-stage liver cancer face a higher risk of recurrence after surgery, which is why doctors often recommend follow-up interventional treatments.

Interventional therapy serves as a preventive measure, typically administered for the first time about a month after surgery. Subsequent sessions depend on regular follow-up evaluations. Although effective, repeated interventions can harm the liver, particularly in patients with pre-existing cirrhosis, potentially leading to liver failure.

If no recurrence occurs after the initial surgery, patients may enjoy a prolonged period of disease-free survival. In cases of recurrence, treatment options include repeat surgery, local ablation, interventional therapy, targeted drug therapy, or immunotherapy. Many patients can still achieve extended survival even with recurrent disease.

However, the prognosis becomes significantly worse when the cancer spreads beyond the liver or involves multiple sites with major vascular invasion. In such cases, survival duration may be limited to just 1–2 years.