After liver cancer treatment

What follow-up do I need?

No matter what type of cancer treatment you have, you will still need regular check-ups once it is over. This is called follow-up. 

The follow-up may involve having blood tests and scans, such as MRI or CT scans. At first you might have follow-up appointments every 3 months and then 6 monthly. After this, if all is going well, it might follow-up may involve ultrasound surveillance. If any problems arise this will change.

You will also have the chance to ask any questions you have, and to let your doctor know if you are having any problems or finding it hard to cope.

If you are between check-ups and have a symptom or problem that is worrying you, contact your doctor or specialist nurse for advice and to make an appointment, if necessary.

If you become suddenly unwell and can’t contact your specialist nurse or hospital team, go to your GP or the emergency department at the hospital.

What if the cancer comes back?

If your cancer comes back your oncologist will discuss with you what options are available to you. Your treatment options will depend on a number of factors such as:

• The extent of the recurrence - has it come back somewhere else in the liver or has it travelled to other organs such as the lungs?
• What treatments you have had already and how well you responded to them
• How well you are generally and what your liver function is like
• Your own feelings around further treatment
• Your doctor’s recommendation

Write down your questions for your meeting with your doctor. You can ring one of our nurses to help you with these questions at 1800 200 700.