Main developments in liver treatment
Our remarkable span of high-level and
specialised treatments contribute to a fully integrated
service including detecting disease, surgery, drug treatments and
support devices.
Detecting disease
Fibroscan®
A new kind of test that measures fibrosis, or the build-up
of tough, hardened scar tissue from liver disease. This kind of
damage can occur silently. But with Fibroscan, doctors can pick it
up early and start treatment to limit the damage. A
mechanical pulse is passed through the skin and into the liver.
Ultrasound is then used to measure the speed at which this pulse
travels.
The mechincal pulse travels faster through tough, fibrous
tissue and gives vital clues to early liver damage. The
patient needs no anaesthetic and can return home or to work as soon
as
it’s done. More information about
Fibroscan
ALT testing
This is another relatively new way of picking up early signs of
liver damage. And all it needs is a tiny blood sample. ALT, or
alanine-amino transferase, is a protein that is manufactured in the
liver but if there is too much of it in the blood, it means the
liver may already be under stress. One of the biggest causes
of raised ALT levels is fat in the liver, usually caused by excess
alcohol consumption or poor diet. Hepatitis, side-effects from
prescription drugs and genetic or autoimmune conditions can also be
factors.
Why it is important to know your
ALT
TIPPS procedure
This procedure is for intractable ascites and
variceal bleeding. Portal haemodynamic measurements and
transjugular liver biopsies in assessment of cirrhosis and
unexplained liver disorders.
Surgery
The liver centre can offer combined oncological, surgical and
radiological management of liver tumours, based on radio-
frequency ablation, chemoembolisation techniques, portal vein
embolisation and chemotherapy regimes prior to major surgical
resections
Liver transplantation
Information on live donor liver
transplants
MEVIS Tumour removal
Primary liver cancer, where a tumour develops on the liver
first, affects around 5,000 people a year in the UK. But secondary
liver cancer, where the tumour has spread from somewhere else,
affects around 70,000. Surgery to remove the malignancy is crucial
but navigating around delicate blood vessels is tricky. Now a new
computerised operating system called MEVIS could help. It processes
MRI and CT images into a high-tech three-dimensional reconstruction
of the tumour, which allow surgeons to plan everything before they
even make an incision.
‘It means we can do a ‘virtual’ operation before we do the
real one,’ says surgeon Mr Steven
Olde Damink
Drug treatments
Hep B
Vaccination is still the best way of preventing hepatitis B
infection. But for the unlucky few in whom it turns into a chronic
infection, drugs can offer real hope. The standard treatment is
interferon, an anti-viral that is injected weekly for 48 weeks.
Newer drugs, called nucleosides and nucleotides, interrupt the
virus’ DNA formation and are proving effective and safe. Used in
different combinations, just one course of these drugs can, for
some patients, halt the virus in its tracks. Others may need to
stay on them long-term to keep the virus at bay.
Hep
C
Promising new anti-viral agents are undergoing clinical trials.
But existing therapy can be highly effective if it’s given early
enough. Standard treatment is an injection of a long-acting form of
a drug called pegylated interferon alpha, combined with another
drug called ribavirin. Of the three hep C genotypes, numbers two
and three respond best to treatment. Around 80% of patients treated
for six months still have no trace of the virus in their blood a
further six months after stopping treatment. In those with
genotype 1, the success rate is about 45%.
Support devices
MARS “Liver Dialysis”
This is something most people associate with kidney disease. But
a new generation of dialysis-type machines is bringing hope to
those whose livers have packed up and are desperately awaiting a
suitable donor organ. One such device is the Molecular Adsorbent
Recirculating Systems, or MARS. The patient’s blood is pumped
through a membrane that removes toxins just like the liver would.
One recent study showed MARS increased survival rates among
patients who went on to have a transplant from 77% to
94%.
General Disclaimer
This page is designed for educational purposes only and is not
engaged in rendering medical advice or professional services. The
information provided through these pagess should not be used for
diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease. It is not a
substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may
have a health problem, you should consult your health care
provider.