Liver Clinic

If you have symptoms, a blood test can be done to check for the presence of the virus. If you do have hepatitis, more blood tests may be necessary to check for complications and determine the state of infection (i.e. acute with infection within the past six months, or chronic with the infection occurring for longer than six months). Often, there may be no or vague symptoms.

A liver biopsy may be ordered to determine the extent of the liver damage. A needle is inserted into the liver to draw out a tissue fragment which is then analysed at the lab.

Hepatitis A is almost always an acute infection. No medication is required as it runs its course. Nausea might bother you. Eating several small meals spaced out through the day, drinking fluids to keep hydrated, and avoiding strenuous exercise might help until you feel better.

The goal of treating chronic hepatitis B and C is to control the virus and preventing liver damage. Your doctor will monitor you regularly for liver disease. Regular blood tests, ultrasound examinations, and CT scans may be ordered to check on your liver function and reveal any signs of damage.

Antiviral medication may help depending on your condition. With several drug combinations available, your doctor will help advise you on a suitable drug regimen depending on the type of virus you have, your liver function, and any other medical conditions you may have.

Specially trained doctors called interventional radiologists. Interventional radiologists are trained to perform various minimally-invasive procedures using medical imaging guidance, to diagnose, treat, and cure many kinds of conditions. They make small incisions and use needles and catheters to treat conditions inside your body.

The procedure takes place in a specialised X-ray room called a Cath-lab.

You will be taken back to day ward. Nursing staff will carry out routine observations including pulse and blood pressure and will also check the treatment site. You will generally stay in bed for a few hours, until you have recovered. Assuming you are feeling well, you will normally be discharged at the same day.

The purpose of TACE is to provide relief of symptoms related to the tumour, to reduce the size or rate of growth of the tumour and to improve your life expectancy. Studies from around the world have shown that TACE can be successful in controlling the cancer that is in your liver and delays the cancer progressing, so these patients with primary liver cancer who undergo the procedure live longer.

A CT scan or MRI of your liver will be performed about 4–6 weeks after the procedure to assess the response to treatment and also to assess the need for any further treatment. CT scans or MRI will be performed every three months thereafter to determine how much the tumour(s) ultimately shrink, and to see if and when any new tumour arises in the liver.

TACE can be repeated many times over the course of many years, as long as it remains technically possible and you continue to be healthy enough to tolerate repeat procedures.