Life after treatment for liver cancer

Adjusting to life after treatment

For most people, the cancer experience doesn’t end on the last day of treatment. Life after cancer treatment can present its own challenges. You may have mixed feelings when treatment ends, and worry that every ache and pain means the cancer is coming back.

Some people say that they feel pressure to return to “normal life”. It is important to allow yourself time to adjust to the physical and emotional changes, and establish a new daily routine at your own pace. Your family and friends may also need time to adjust.

Cancer Connect on 13 11 20 can help you connect with other people who have had liver cancer, and provide you with information about the emotional and practical aspects of living well after cancer. 

Follow-up appointments

After treatment ends, you will have regular appointments to monitor your health, manage any long-term side effects and check that the cancer hasn’t come back or spread. During these check-ups, you will usually have a physical examination and you may have blood tests, x-rays or scans. You will also be able to discuss how you’re feeling and mention any concerns you may have.

People who still have hepatitis B or hepatitis C may be given medicines (antiviral therapy) to help manage these diseases and reduce the chance of the cancer coming back. Your doctor will also talk to you about the importance of not drinking alcohol, not smoking, eating healthy foods and exercising.

Check-ups will become less frequent if you have no further problems. Between follow-up appointments, let your doctor know immediately of any symptoms or health problems.

When a follow-up appointment or test is approaching, many people find that they think more about the cancer and may feel anxious. Talk to your treatment team or call Cancer Connect on 13 11 20 if you are finding it hard to manage this anxiety.

Dealing with feelings of sadness

If you have continued feelings of sadness, have trouble getting up in the morning or have lost motivation to do things that previously gave you pleasure, you may be experiencing depression. This is quite common among people who have had cancer.

Talk to your GP, because counselling or medication – even for a short time – may help. Some people can get a Medicare rebate for sessions with a psychologist. Cancer Council may also run a counselling program in your area.

For information about coping with depression and anxiety, call Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636. For 24-hour crisis support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

What if the cancer returns?

For some people, liver cancer does come back after treatment, which is known as a recurrence. The cancer may come back in the liver, in nearby organs or in other parts of the body. This is why it’s important to have regular check-ups.

If liver cancer returns, you may be offered more treatment. This may include drug therapy or the insertion of a stent. Treatment will depend on the type of cancer you have, where it has spread, your general health and the types of treatment you have had before.

When cancer won’t go away

For many people with primary liver cancer, the cancer cannot be cured. Talking to your healthcare team can help you understand your situation and plan for your future care. Palliative treatments may help control the growth of the cancer and manage the effects of cancer and/or its treatment. These treatments may allow you to continue doing the things you enjoy for months or even several years.

Learning that the cancer may not be cured can be very upsetting. You can call Cancer Connect on 13 11 20 for support and information or talk to the social worker or spiritual care practitioner (such as a chaplain) at your hospital or treatment centre. You can also listen to our The Thing About Advanced Cancer podcast series.

There is still a life to be lived and pleasures to be found and disappointments to be had. Living with advanced cancer is a different life, not just a journey towards death.

Julie