Liver Cancer Treatment: A Look at Biliary Stent Procedure and Recovery Process
In the journey of dealing with liver cancer, support is crucial. Organisations such as the Hepatitis B Foundation and Cancer Care offer resources and assistance for those affected. One common treatment option is the insertion of a biliary stent, which helps maintain bile flow from the liver to the small intestine.
The costs associated with an ERCP procedure to insert a biliary stent can vary depending on factors like the exact procedure and location (ambulatory surgical centers or hospital outpatient departments). These costs may include facility fees, doctor charges, and Medicare payments. To estimate potential costs, individuals can utilise resources like the Medicare Procedure Price Lookup.
Once a person can swallow again, they can return to their regular diet. However, it's important to note that the duration of biliary stent placement plays a significant role in the patient's recovery and overall health. Longer stent duration generally correlates with improved biliary drainage and liver function, but it also carries risks of stent occlusion and infection.
Recent studies have shown that for patients with unresectable malignant biliary obstruction due to liver cancer, endoscopic biliary stent (EBS) placement is the preferred palliative approach. Adding temporary endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) within 2 weeks of EBS may increase stent patency time and reduce adverse events, although the difference was not statistically significant in one study.
Metal stents, particularly uncovered metal stents, are favoured for malignant hilar biliary obstruction near the liver because they maintain patency longer than plastic stents. When these stents become blocked, techniques like the “molting technique” for revision can restore patency for an average of about 118 days, with a high success rate and manageable complications.
Complications related to stent placement, such as cholangitis (infection), pancreatitis, and bleeding, can occur, often within 90 days post-procedure. These complications may be influenced by stent duration and underlying pathology.
Close monitoring and timely intervention are crucial to manage stent-related adverse events and balance the benefits and risks of prolonged stent placement. After the procedure, individuals need to rest for the remainder of the day and may experience common side effects like a sore throat, difficulty swallowing, bloating, and nausea.
Upon recovery, a person needs to remain in the hospital for a few hours before being discharged. For financial help with cancer treatments, resources like Cancer Care, PAN Foundation, Hepatitis B Foundation, and Cancer Support Community may be helpful. Cancer Support Community also provides an online support network.
In conclusion, biliary stent placement plays a vital role in managing liver cancer, but careful consideration must be given to stent duration to balance the benefits of improved biliary drainage and liver function with the risks of stent occlusion and infection. Close monitoring and timely intervention are essential for successful recovery.
Patients undergoing endoscopic biliary stent (EBS) placement for liver cancer may benefit from temporary endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD), as it can potentially increase stent patency time and reduce adverse events, although the effect may not be statistically significant in all studies.
Metal stents, particularly uncovered metal stents, are often the preferred choice for malignant biliary obstruction due to their ability to maintain patency longer than plastic stents. However, they carry risks of complications like stent occlusion and infection.
In the realm of health and wellness, it's essential to consider various therapies and treatments, especially when dealing with medical conditions like liver cancer. Financial assistance for cancer treatments can be found through organisations like Cancer Care, PAN Foundation, Hepatitis B Foundation, and Cancer Support Community.
