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Cancer (Oncology)

Liver Cancer

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The NewYork-Presbyterian Cancer Centers' liver specialists provide high-level expertise in the treatment of liver tumors, with case volumes that are among the largest in the country. Joint activities between surgical oncologists and liver transplant specialists offer patients -- including those with liver metastases – streamlined care and potentially curative treatment options. These include a research protocol in which a radio-labeled monoclonal antibody is used to identify sites of metastatic disease.

Patients with liver cancer have access to the multidisciplinary programs of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center which offer the latest advances in the diagnosis and treatment of liver cancer.

Therapeutic Excellence

Surgical Advances

Our surgeons are participating in a national clinical trial to evaluate the merit of combining a radio-frequency ablative technique that destroys tumor cells with intra-operative heated chemotherapy that is infused directly into the liver; the goal is to eliminate any microscopic disease that may remain after surgery. Further research endeavors focus on the use of gene vectors to deliver chemotherapy to hepatic metastases. Another clinical trial is investigating the effect of Cox 2 inhibitors on reducing the immunosuppression that occurs after surgery.

Radiation Oncology

Radiation oncologists have sophisticated treatment technology available, including intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and intraoperative brachytherapy, in which temporary or permanent radioactive sources are implanted at the time of surgery for unresectable liver tumors.

Interventional Radiology

The interventional radiology team performs direct ablation of liver tumors. Tiny needles are directed into the cancers under the guidance of computed tomography (CT), ultrasound, or fluoroscopic imaging. Radiofrequency ablation is then used to destroy the tumor. Alternatively, the physicians inject specific alcohol solutions or highly concentrated acetic acid to destroy tumors.

Research

Clinical Trials

Patients who come to the NewYork-Presbyterian Cancer Centers for care also have access to some of the most important and advanced clinical trials in the country for liver cancer. These trials include investigations related to:

• Ablative therapies for liver tumors and hepatic pumps for chemotherapy
• Use of a new drug to prevent immune system suppression following surgery

Research is also underway aimed at developing ways to use gene vectors to deliver chemotherapy to liver metastases.