Frequently Asked Questions

The primary goal of the hepatitis B vaccine is to prevent the initial infection with the hepatitis B virus. HBV is a major cause of viral hepatitis and can lead to acute and chronic liver diseases, including cirrhosis and liver cancer. By receiving the hepatitis B vaccine, individuals develop immunity against the virus, reducing the risk of infection. Certain populations are at an increased risk of hepatitis B infection, including healthcare workers, individuals with multiple sexual partners, people who inject drugs, and those living in regions where hepatitis B is endemic. Vaccination is important for these high-risk groups. Hepatitis B vaccination also helps prevent co-infection with hepatitis D, which can lead to more severe liver disease.

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is a condition characterized by the accumulation of fat in the liver of those with no history of alcoholism. It is associated with obesity, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome. NAFLD is a complex condition, and its management requires a comprehensive approach. Self diagnosis and treatment without professional guidance can lead to inadequate care and potential complications. Consulting a specialist will benefit you in several ways, including Establishing an accurate diagnosis to guide appropriate management. Identify the underlying cause and address these factors for effective management. Assess the risk of disease progression and the development of complications, such as cirrhosis and liver cancer. This helps in tailoring a personalized treatment plan and monitoring the condition over time. Understand the best management strategies to manage your health including lifestyle modifications and medications. Follow-up visits will allow your doctor to make necessary adjustments to the treatment plan.

Some of the key strategies to reduce the risk of liver cancer include: Limit your alcohol intake or, ideally, abstain from alcohol. Quit smoking. Getting vaccinated against hepatitis B can significantly reduce the risk of liver cancer. Practice safe sex and avoid sharing needles or engaging in other high-risk behaviours that could lead to viral hepatitis. Adopt a healthy diet and exercise regularly to maintain a healthy weight. Effectively manage chronic conditions such as diabetes and fatty liver disease through lifestyle modifications and medication. Minimize exposure to aflatoxin B1, a toxin produced by a fungus that can contaminate foods like corn and nuts, especially when stored in hot, humid conditions. If you have a history of liver diseases or conditions such as cirrhosis, follow your doctor's recommendations for regular screenings and surveillance for liver cancer.

Surgery plays a crucial role in the management of liver cancer, especially in cases where the tumour is localized and has not spread extensively. The specific surgical approach depends on factors such as the size and location of the tumour, Quality of Liver the overall health of the patient, and the extent of liver function. Some of the most common surgical options for the treatment of liver cancer include: Hepatectomy: It involves the surgical removal of a portion of the liver. The extent of the resection depends on the size and location of the tumour. The goal is to remove the cancerous tissue while preserving as much of the healthy liver as possible. Liver Transplantation: For certain patients with liver cancer, especially those with cirrhosis liver transplantation may be considered. In this procedure, the entire liver is replaced with a healthy liver from a deceased or living donor. Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) and Microwave Ablation: These minimally invasive techniques involve the use of heat to destroy cancerous tissue. During RFA, a special needle is inserted into the tumour, and high frequency electrical currents generate heat, causing the tumour cells to be destroyed. Microwave ablation utilizes microwaves to achieve a similar result. These techniques are often employed for smaller tumours. Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE): TACE involves injecting chemotherapy drugs directly into the blood vessels supplying the tumour, combined with blocking these vessels. This method helps to deliver high concentrations of chemotherapy to the tumour while limiting the blood supply.

Neonatal jaundice is a common condition in newborns and is caused by an excess of bilirubin, a yellow pigment produced during the breakdown of red blood cells. While it is a normal and often temporary occurrence, some infants may be at a higher risk of developing neonatal jaundice. Risk factors may include premature birth, blood type incompatibility of the mother and baby, suboptimal breastfeeding, birth trauma, infections, conditions like cephalohematoma (collection of blood between the baby's skull and periosteum) or history of a previous sibling with neonatal jaundice. Neonatal jaundice is a self-limiting condition. However, if bilirubin levels become excessively high, it can lead to a more severe form of jaundice called kernicterus, which can cause neurological damage. Treatment options may include phototherapy or, in severe cases, exchange transfusions. Parents should communicate any concerns about jaundice with their paediatrician for appropriate evaluation and management.

Choledochal cysts are congenital cystic dilations of the bile ducts, and they can pose a risk of complications such as infection, stone formation, and an increased likelihood of developing bile duct cancer. The standard and most common treatment for choledochal cysts involves the complete removal of the cyst. The affected portion of the bile duct is resected, and the remaining healthy bile duct is reconstructed to restore normal bile flow. After removing the cyst, the surgeon often performs a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. This involves connecting the remaining bile duct to a loop of the small intestine (jejunum). This procedure allows the bile to flow from the liver into the intestine, bypassing the area where the cyst was located.

The Whipple procedure, also known as pancreaticoduodenectomy, is a complex surgical procedure used to treat tumours and other diseases affecting the pancreas, as well as adjacent organs such as the duodenum, bile duct, and sometimes part of the stomach. The surgery is named after American surgeon Dr. Allen Whipple, who first performed it in the 1930s. The Whipple procedure entails the excision of the pancreatic head, the duodenum, the gallbladder, and the bile duct. After removing these structures, the surgeon reconstructs the digestive tract to allow for the flow of digestive juices and bile into the small intestine. The remaining portion of the pancreas is then attached to the digestive tract. The Whipple procedure is a challenging surgery and is usually performed by experienced surgical teams. The goal is to remove the diseased tissue while preserving as much normal pancreatic and gastrointestinal function as possible. The procedure can be curative for some patients with pancreatic cancer or other localized diseases, but it requires careful postoperative management and long-term follow-up.

Liver transplantation is indicated when a person's liver is severely damaged or failing to the extent that it can no longer perform its essential functions. The most common reasons for a liver transplant include: End-stage liver disease Liver cancer Acute liver failure Biliary atresia and paediatric liver disease Metabolic liver diseases Severe liver damage due to chronic infections like hepatitis B or C

Split liver transplantation is a surgical procedure in which a single donor liver is divided into two separate grafts, which can then be transplanted into two different recipients. This technique aims to maximize the use of available donor organs and increase the number of liver transplants performed to more Patients in the view of limited Organ Availability. The liver is a unique organ with the ability to regenerate. This characteristic allows surgeons to split a donor liver into two parts: the larger portion, typically the right lobe, is transplanted into an adult recipient, while the smaller portion, usually the left lobe, is transplanted into a pediatric recipient or small size adult. Both portions of the liver will regenerate to near-normal size within a few weeks to months after transplantation.