All you have to know about the Road to Liver Cancer

You may not know it but Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection affects 3-4% of our population, which means that about 30-40 million Indians suffer from this infection. Most of them are unaware that they have this infection which is more infectious than human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. What’s more, HBV infection is the commonest cause of liver cancer around the world.

Stemming the Spread

HBV infection spreads through transfusion of injected blood, the use of infected injection needles or by mother to infant transmission. The spread of infection has decreased significantly in our country through safe blood banking practices and through voluntary blood donation. The use of sterile, disposable needles has also helped in bringing down the incidence of HBV infection. Most Centers now test pregnant women for HBV infection and prevent transmission of the virus to newborn infants.Although awareness regarding HBV infection has improved, we still have a long way to go to prevent the spread of this deadly virus. The best prevention strategy is vaccination with Hepatitis B vaccine. Unfortunately the cost of over Rs.200/- per dose is prohibitive. MIOT Hospitals has taken a lead to provide Hepatitis B vaccination for all at a cost of Rs.25/- per dose given at 0,1 & 6 months.

Recognizing the symptoms

Mr. P.K, a 46-year-old Bank officer came to us with a history of abdominal fullness and decreased urine output. On examination, he was found to have fluid collection in the abdomen and swelling of his feet. He had contracted Hepatitis B infection earlier through blood transfusion. The virus targeted the liver, caused damage and destruction, which then resulted in his present condition.

In search of a solution

Fluid in the abdomen, vomiting of blood and drowsiness are features of worsening liver failure. Temporary treatment to give relief from the symptoms can be instituted, but, when the liver continues to deteriorate, liver transplantation will become necessary. It is important to consult the liver team, so that a detailed evaluation can be arranged. Based on thefindings, the patient will be entered onto the Liver transplant list.

There are two types of liver transplantation

• Deceased Donor Liver Transplantation
• Living Donor Liver Transplantation

In the first type, the donor liver is obtained from a brain-dead person, while in the latter, a suitable living donor donates a part of his /her liver. Liver transplantation is considered to be the ultimate team effort. The team consists of liver surgeons, liver physicians, anesthetists, intensivists,liver pathologists, nurses, psychologists, social workers, transplant co-ordinators etc. MIOT Hospitals is in the process of setting up a top quality Liver Transplantation team to provide a state-of-the-art, caring, holistic liver transplantation facility to assist patients with end stage liver disease.

Prof. Dr. George M. Chandy
MD, DM (Gastro), PGDHA, FRCP, FIHS