Chinese medical centers treat liver cancer using a multimodal approach governed by the China Liver Cancer staging system. Primary options include advanced surgical resection, liver transplantation, and interventional therapies like TACE. Specialized facilities also integrate immunotherapy with proprietary techniques like NanoKnife and cryosurgery for complex cases.
- Surgical resection: Primary curative option for early stages using laparoscopic or robot-assisted techniques.
- Interventional oncology: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) remains the standard for intermediate and advanced stages.
- Ablation therapies: Radiofrequency (RFA), microwave (MWA), and NanoKnife treat tumors smaller than 3 cm.
- Systemic combinations: PD-1 inhibitors like camrelizumab are often paired with targeted drugs like lenvatinib.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data from leading facilities like Fuda Cancer Hospital reveals a significant trend toward combining multiple minimally invasive therapies rather than relying on standard chemotherapy. For instance, Dr. Niu Lizhi has performed over 10,000 cryosurgery procedures. This high volume allows centers to offer aggressive `triple-threat` protocols—combining cryodestruction, NanoKnife, and vascular interventional therapy—even for patients previously considered inoperable.
Patient Consensus: Patients often note that Chinese protocols are more aggressive, frequently combining surgery with immediate TACE or immunotherapy. Many emphasize the importance of regular AFP monitoring post-treatment to manage the risk of recurrence effectively.