Primary liver cancer

Primary liver cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide, with 540,000 new cases diagnosed in 1996. The largest concentration of patients is found in Asia, especially China.

In Hong Kong liver cancer is the second most common cancer. Each year more than 1,800 additional citizens are diagnosed to have this devastating disease. For 90% of the patients, surgery is not a viable option due to poor liver function or unfavorable tumor location. Without treatment, liver cancer patients almost always have a dismal prognosis, with a median survival of only four months. Here VIR comes in as an important non-surgical alternative that can prolong their lives and even cure the disease. Mr. Chan is a living proof.

A three-hour surgery in 1996 had removed a cancerous tumor from Mr. Chan's liver but left him traumatized by the excruciating pain and ten grueling months of recuperation. When a new tumor was found in 2000, another open-wound surgery was just not feasible. This time, VIR came to his rescue. In a 30-minute non-surgical local ablative procedure performed under local anesthesia, the tumor was destroyed without damaging the liver.

He was discharged in 48 hours, and resumed an active life in two weeks.

At 66, Mr. Chan is now in the fourth year since the VIR treatment. He goes hiking and jogging, and travels abroad. VIR has helped many liver cancer patients bounce back to health, free from the menace of cancer. Recurring tumors can be eradicated by repeated VIR therapy.