Liver Cancer
Treatment in Malaysia
At Onco Life Centre, our team takes a personalized approach to treating liver cancer. We focus not only on treating the disease, but also on supporting the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of our patients every step of the way.
Cancer begins when healthy cells change and grow out of control, forming a mass called a tumor.
A cancerous tumor is malignant, meaning it can grow and spread to other parts of the body. Cancer that begins in the liver is known as primary liver cancer
Why Choose Onco Life Centre?
Expertise You Can Trust, Innovation You Can Count On
Over 20 Years of
Experience
Our highly-qualified consultant oncologists boast extensive experience treating a vast array of cancers. Their training at prestigious institutions in Australia and the UK ensures exceptional expertise that you can trust.
Collaboration with
Leading Genomics Experts
For complex cases, our oncologists collaborate with leading genomics specialists in the US. This ensures access to the latest treatments for all cancer types.
Unmatched
patient experience
You and your healthcare experience are at the centre of what we do at Onco Life Centre. Our core values of Empathy, Dedication, Professionalism and Service Quality have driven us since our earliest days.
Treatment Methods
These treatments are recommended for early stage liver cancer. These treatments include surgery, radiofrequency ablation, percutaneous ethanol injection, and radiation therapy.
While these treatments will most likely not eliminate the cancer, they have been shown to improve symptoms, quality of life and survival.
During chemoembolization, chemotherapy drugs for liver cancer are injected into the hepatic artery, and the flow of blood through the artery is blocked for a short time so the chemotherapy stays in the tumor longer.
Blocking the blood supply to the tumor also destroys cancer cells. During radio embolization, the specialist places radioactive beads into the artery that supplies the tumor with blood. The beads deliver radiation therapy directly into the tumor when they become trapped in the small blood vessels of the tumor.
Targeted therapy is drug treatment that targets the cancer’s specific genes, proteins, or the tissue environment that contributes to cancer growth and survival. This type of treatment blocks the growth and spread of cancer cells while limiting damage to healthy cells.
Recent studies show that not all tumors have the same targets. To find the most effective treatment, our Oncologist may run genomic tests to identify the genes, proteins, and other factors in your tumor.
This will help out oncologist better match you with the most effective targeted therapies whenever possible.
For HCC, anti-angiogenesis drugs are the most common type of targeted therapy. Anti-angiogenesis therapies focused on stopping angiogenesis, which is the process of making new blood vessels.
Because a tumor needs the nutrients delivered by blood vessels to grow and spread, the goal of anti-angiogenesis therapies is to “starve” the tumor.
The first anti-angiogenesis therapy is believed to work through this process and used to treat advanced HCC that cannot be completely removed with surgery. In 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of a second oral targeted therapy for previously treated HCC.
In 2018, a 3rd anti-angiogenesis oral targeted therapy for liver cancer was approved by the FDA as first-line treatment for inoperable HCC.
Please click here to learn more about Targeted Therapy
Immunotherapy, also called biologic therapy, is designed to boost the body’s natural defenses to fight the cancer.
The PD-1 pathway is critical in the immune system’s ability to control cancer growth. PD-1 and PD-L1 antibodies block this pathway and can stop the growth of HCC.
In 2017, the FDA approved an immune checkpoint inhibitor for the treatment of liver cancer HCC, following the use of a targeted therapy.
In 2020, the FDA subsequently approved the use of a combination of immune checkpoint inhibitors that work to block the PDL-1 pathway that would otherwise allow the cancer to hide from the immune system.
Please click here to learn more about Immunotherapy
Treatment By Stage
The Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) system categorizes HCC based on characteristics of the tumor, liver function, performance status, and cancer-related symptoms.
BCLC stage groupings include:
Liver Cancer Early stage
The tumor is smaller than 5 cm. Liver function varies, and portal vein pressure may or may not be increased.
Patients with early-stage disease may be candidates for a liver transplant, surgery, or radiofrequency ablation (RFA).
Liver Cancer Intermediate stage
The tumor may be large or there may be multiple tumors. Regional therapies, such as trans-arterial chemoembolization maybe recommended for these patients with intermediate stage HCC.
Liver Cancer Advanced stage
The tumor has invaded the portal vein or spread to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, lungs, and bones.
Targeted therapy or immunotherapy maybe recommended for these patients.
Transparency You Can Trust
At Onco Life Centre, we understand the financial burden associated with Liver Cancer treatment. We are committed to transparency and will provide you with a personalized cost estimate during your initial consultation. Here is an estimate:
Targeted Therapy:
At Onco Life Centre, the cost of liver cancer targeted therapy is from MYR4,000.
Immunotherapy
Average cost of immunotherapy for liver cancer is estimated to be MYR10,000 depending on the specific type and dosage of immunotherapy drug used.
Types of primary liver cancer in adults
There are a number of types of primary liver cancer that occur in adults.
- Hepatocellular carcinoma – Approximately 75% of liver cancers are HCC
- Cholangiocarcinoma – Approximately 10-20% of liver cancers develop In the bile duct of the liver
- Angiosarcomas – About 1% of liver cancers start in the blood vessels of the liver and grows very quickly
Symptoms and Signs
Patients with HCC may experience no symptoms, particularly when the tumor is detected early as part of a screening program. When symptoms or signs do occur, they include:
- Pain in the right upper abdominal area, near the right shoulder blade
- Unexplained weight loss
- A hard lump under the ribs at the right upper abdominal area
- Weakness or fatigue
Some symptoms experienced by people with HCC may be caused by cirrhosis rather than the tumor.
Diagnosis
Blood tests
AFP levels in the blood are elevated in about 50% to 70% of people who have HCC.
Computed tomography (CT) scans
HCC can be diagnosed based on features specific to liver cancer that are seen on a CT scan.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
An MRI scan uses magnetic fields to produce detailed images of the body.
Biopsy
A biopsy is the removal of a small amount of tissue for examination under a microscope.
When the AFP blood test, CT scan, or MRI strongly indicates HCC, and other test results that are typical of HCC, a biopsy may not be needed.
Molecular testing of the tumor
These laboratory tests will identify specific genes, proteins, and other factors unique to liver cancer.
Results of these tests will help determine your treatment options.
Your Journey
Start Your Recovery
Our dedicated Patient Navigator will assist you with appointment scheduling. Contact us at +6012-3993260 (Call or Whatsapp ).
First Consultation
On appointment day, bring along all the medical reports and your identity documents, ie. identity card or passport. Our team will help you organize the medical reports for our oncologist to review. Our oncologist will discuss the treatment plan with you. Tele-consult is available for overseas patients.
Treatment Day
Come to our center on an agreed date and time for the treatment. Our team will take good care of you. You will be discharged on the same day. Yes, you will get to go home after every treatment visit as no overnight admission is required.
Stay on Track
Our dedicated patient navigator will be following up with you post treatment to check on your condition, to ensure that you are doing well. You will receive a reminder message on your phone for the next appointment date.
Credentials You Can Trust
Ministry of Health Malaysia
Onco Life Centre is fully licensed as an Oncology Consultation and Treatment Centre (License No: 931401-00214-03/2024)
DR. CHRISTINA NG VAN TZE
MBBS (MELB), FELLOW RACP (AUS)
DR. JOSEPH KANIANTHRA JOSEPH
MBBCH, BAO (IRE), MRCP (UK)
I have been coming to OncoLife centre with my mother. She is under the care of Dr Christina since diagnosis and has been on targeted therapy and is doing well. Dr Christina Ng has been guiding my mum through her treatment and is quick to suggest changes if needed. She is also very ready to hear our concerns and will always take our preference into consideration. Communication with the staff is good and we can readily ask them questions at any time. The atmosphere of the clinic is also pleasant which makes waiting around not such a chore. Parking is readily available in the building. Overall, Onco Life is very patient centred and I am very thankful to Dr Christina and her team for the support they have given my mum and the family.
My mother was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer about 6 months ago at a hospital in KL. We were all very scared, worried and felt very lost at the same time. A friend suggested that we seek advice from Dr Christina Ng at Onco Life Centre. During our first consultation, Dr Christina had explained patiently to us that my mother has stage 4 pancreatic cancer, and it has spread to her liver and lung. She had suggested for my mother to promptly start on combination chemotherapy. We were initially worried about chemotherapy side effects. Dr Christina had explained to us that she would carefully select drugs which my mother would likely tolerate well. Much to our surprise, my mother was very well & energetic throughout her chemotherapy course. After 3 months of chemotherapy, she did a CT scan which showed a significant reduction in all tumor deposits in pancreas, liver, lungs & peritoneum. We are grateful towards Dr Christina Ng & her Team for giving us a great hope.
My husband was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer more than one year ago. He started treatment at another hospital but his condition worsened and he became fully dependent on oxygen support over 6 months. That was when we became very anxious and worried. We wanted to seek a second opinion and thus found Dr Christina Ng at Onco Life Centre. Dr Christina immediately adjusted his immunotherapy treatment protocol whilst actively treating his worsening infection. After 4 months under the care of Dr Christina, his condition has improved significantly and he is now totally off oxygen support. We are grateful that he is being given a new lease of life.
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