Prevention:Worldwide, the majority of liver cancer is associated with chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Today, however, all newborns are vaccinated against hepatitis B in China and other Asian countries. Therefore, the frequency of chronic hepatitis B virus in future generations will decrease.

Eventually, perhaps in three or four generations, hepatitis B virus will be totally eradicated, thereby eliminating the most common risk factor for liver cancer.

Some retrospective (looking back in time) studies suggest that patients with chronic hepatitis C who were treated with interferon were less likely to develop liver cancer than patients who were not treated. Interestingly, in these studies, interferon treatment seemed to provide this benefit, even to patients who had less than an optimal antiviral response to interferon. Still, it remains to be seen whether the risk of developing cirrhosis and liver cancer is significantly decreased in prospectively (looking ahead) followed patients who responded to interferon.

One Japanese study has reported that a retinoid derivative (a compound related to vitamin A) was effective in preventing recurrence of liver cancer after resection of the liver. As of now, this compound is not available in the U.S. It would be of great interest to study the use of this compound in conjunction with other palliative therapy for liver cancer.

Treatment

Unfortunately, there have been no significant new developments in the treatment of liver cancer. Medical therapy remains a disappointment. Scientists are working hard, however, to address this problem. For example, anti-angiogenesis compounds, which inhibit blood vessel formation, may hold promise in the treatment of liver cancer since this tumor depends on a rich blood supply. Also, different ways to deliver drugs or treatment to the tumors are being investigated. This includes attaching radioactive material to antibodies that are directed at specific targets in liver cancer cells (immunotherapy).