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Primary and metastatic liver cancer
1Department of Surgery, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20008, USA.
Objectives:
To review liver physiology, the disease process, diagnostic tests, and current treatment options for primary and metastatic liver cancer.
Data Sources:
Research studies, review articles, and textbooks relating to liver cancer.
Conclusions:
Surgical resection offers the best available treatment modality, but only a small percentage of patients are eligible. However, combined treatment of radiation therapy and chemotherapy (systemic and intra-arterial), as well as chemoembolization, cryosurgery, and transplantation, offers hope of palliation, conversion of unresectable to resectable disease, and prolonged survival.
Implications For Nursing Practice:
Understanding and knowledge of the disease process and treatment modalities for primary and metastatic liver cancer will assist the oncology nurse in educating patients and families during their diagnostic and treatment phases.