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What causes liver cancer
The most common primary liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma or HCC. Cirrhosis is a major risk factor for HCC. This chronic liver disease is marked by liver tissue scarred by repeated damage and repair.
Knowing the symptoms
The early stages of HCC may show no symptoms in some people which is why it’s important to stay current on your annual check-ups, especially if you fall into a high-risk category. Symptoms of HCC may include:
Losing weight without trying
Loss of appetite
Upper abdominal pain
Nausea and vomiting
General weakness and fatigue
Abdominal swelling
Yellow discoloration of your skin and the whites of your eyes (jaundice)
White, chalky stools2
Reaching a diagnosis
Your doctor may order the following tests or procedures to reach a diagnosis of liver cancer3:
Blood tests
Imaging exams, such as, ultrasounds, CT and MRI
Liver biopsy, a procedure that removes a small sample of the organ’s tissue for testing3
What to expect from TheraSphere
There are various options and combinations of options for treating HCC ranging from surgery to targeted drug therapy. Treatment options and prognosis may vary based on the stage of your cancer and overall health. If your doctor chooses TheraSphere to treat your HCC, here’s what to expect.
TheraSphere is made up of millions of tiny glass beads—each thinner than a strand of hair, containing radioactive Yttrium-90 to target your HCC liver tumor. During the procedure, your Interventional Radiologist will make a tiny incision in your upper leg, administering TheraSphere to the liver tumor through a microcatheter. TheraSphere targets the tumor with minimal impact to the surrounding healthy liver. Treatment is typically a single, outpatient procedure that does not require a stay in the hospital. It is often well-tolerated and most patients report minimal side effects. Having the TheraSphere treatment does not preclude you from other treatment options.4
How it works
Understand how TheraSphere targets HCC liver cancer.
Hear from people like you
Watch Nicole’s story of treating her HCC with TheraSphere.
Find a treatment center near you that is administering TheraSphere
More support
*Hepatocellular Carcinoma (ref: LEGACY study. Hepatology. 2021)
References
1. LEGACY study. Hepatology. 2021
2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/liver-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20353659
3. https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/what-does-the-liver-do. Accessed 29 March 2019.
4. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/liver-cancer/treating/chemotherapy.html
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