Treatment Options for Liver Cancer That Has Metastasized to the Lungs

When liver cancer spreads to the lungs, it typically indicates an advanced stage of the disease. Treatment strategies can be broadly categorized into two approaches, depending on the nature of the metastasis.

If the lung metastases are isolated and the tumor size is less than 3 cm in diameter, localized treatments such as radiofrequency ablation may be considered. This procedure involves using heat to destroy cancer cells and can be effective for small, contained tumors. It is often followed by additional supportive therapies to prevent recurrence and control disease progression.

On the other hand, if the cancer has spread diffusely throughout the lungs, localized treatments are not viable. In such cases, systemic treatments become the primary approach. One commonly used chemotherapy regimen is FOLFOX, which combines folinic acid, fluorouracil, and oxaliplatin. This regimen has shown effectiveness in managing advanced liver cancer that has metastasized.

Another promising option is targeted therapy, with drugs like sorafenib being a key choice. Clinical observations have shown that patients with lung metastases who take sorafenib can experience significant tumor shrinkage and a decrease in alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels, a biomarker for liver cancer. In some cases, this treatment has led to improved quality of life and extended survival.

In addition to these medical treatments, supportive care including immune-boosting therapies can also play a role in helping the body fight the disease. These approaches aim to strengthen the patient's overall health and may enhance the effectiveness of other treatments.

Ultimately, the choice of therapy should be tailored to the individual patient, based on the extent of the disease, overall health, and response to previous treatments.