Liver cancer is a condition in which abnormal cells grow in the liver and form malignant tumors. In advanced stages, the disease not only enlarges but can also lead to serious complications, one of which is portal vein thrombosis, a blockage in the main blood vessel that carries blood to the liver. This condition can worsen liver function and make treatment more challenging.
To address this, dr. Hendra Koncoro, Sp.PD-KGEH, an internal medicine specialist and consultant in gastroenterohepatology at Mandaya Royal Puri Hospital, performs HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound). This procedure aims to help treat portal vein thrombosis, allowing patients to undergo other liver cancer therapies more effectively and optimally.
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What is HIFU for liver cancer?
HIFU is a modern medical technology used to help treat liver cancer without open surgery. It is a non-invasive method, meaning it does not require incisions, stitches, or conventional surgical procedures. The treatment is performed from outside the body while still precisely targeting the affected tissue.
HIFU is considered one of the latest innovations in medical treatment because it offers a more comfortable alternative for patients. It also carries a lower risk of bleeding and generally allows for faster recovery compared to surgery, helping patients undergo treatment more effectively.
Patient condition explained by dr. Hendra Koncoro
“At this time, we have performed focused ultrasound ablation (HIFU) for malignancies in hepatology, specifically liver cancer cases. This patient is a 68-year-old woman who has been diagnosed with advanced liver cancer since 2023 and has undergone various treatments,” said dr. Hendra Koncoro.
“However, the patient still has what we call portal vein thrombosis, which is a complication of liver cancer where a blood clot forms due to the tumor. This condition is generally difficult to treat. With HIFU, we can perform an ablation process on the portal vein thrombosis,” he added.
Through HIFU, dr. Hendra performs ablation on the portal vein thrombosis. The patient will later be evaluated to assess whether the thrombosis has decreased.
If there is improvement, further treatments such as immunotherapy, Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE), or even Microwave Ablation may be considered if the tumor becomes smaller. All these treatment options are available at Mandaya Royal Puri Hospital.
Patient experience undergoing HIFU for advanced liver cancer
“The risk is low because there is no surgery at all. Since HIFU does not require any incision, the chance of complications is small. So we decided to try it,” said the patient’s family.
“We started the procedure at 10:00 AM and finished around 1:30 PM,” they added, highlighting the relatively short duration of the procedure.
When asked about her condition, the patient reported no pain after the procedure. She also felt no weakness and was able to sleep comfortably.
Within about one month, the patient will undergo an MRI evaluation. Ammonia levels will also be checked. If the levels decrease, it may indicate that the HIFU procedure has been successful in managing her advanced liver cancer.
How HIFU works for liver cancer
Here is a simple overview of how HIFU works:
- Precise targeting of the tumor: High-intensity ultrasound waves are directed accurately at the cancerous tissue in the liver using imaging guidance, ensuring surrounding healthy tissue is preserved.
- Energy converted into heat at the target area: The focused ultrasound energy generates high temperatures at the targeted point without affecting the entire liver.
- Destruction of cancer cells: The heat damages and destroys cancer cells, causing them to die without the need for open surgery.
- Natural absorption of damaged tissue: Over time, the body gradually absorbs the destroyed tissue, allowing the tumor to shrink and improving the patient’s condition.
HIFU specialists for liver cancer at Mandaya Royal Puri Hospital
Liver cancer treatment with HIFU at Mandaya Royal Puri Hospital is supported by an experienced medical team.
1. dr. Hendra Koncoro, Sp.PD-KGEH
dr. Hendra Koncoro is an internal medicine specialist and consultant in gastroenterohepatology who focuses on digestive and liver diseases.
He treats conditions such as liver cancer, fatty liver, gallstones, liver nodules, cirrhosis, and bile duct cancer. He completed his medical degree at Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia, continued with a Master of Biomedical Science and internal medicine specialization at Udayana University, and earned his gastroenterohepatology consultant degree from the University of Indonesia.
In his practice, he provides comprehensive diagnosis and treatment, supported by examinations such as liver and kidney function tests, lipid profiles, urine tests, and imaging like CT scans and MRI for accurate diagnosis.
He is available at Mandaya Royal Puri Hospital on:
- Wednesday: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
- Saturday: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
2. dr. Sugianto Santoso, Sp.Rad, (K)RI
dr. Sugianto Santoso is a radiology specialist with a subspecialty in interventional radiology, experienced in various minimally invasive tumor treatments.
He utilizes imaging technologies such as ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, and fluoroscopy to ensure high precision during procedures. In addition to HIFU, he is skilled in TACE, Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA), and Microwave Ablation.
He completed his medical degree at Maranatha Christian University and his radiology specialization at the University of Indonesia.
He is available at Mandaya Royal Puri Hospital on:
- Tuesday: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Thursday: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
For your convenience, you can use the WhatsApp Chat feature, Book Appointment service, or the Care Dokter app available on Google Play and the App Store to schedule visits, check queue numbers, and access more information.
*The information provided on this page is for educational purposes and general overview only, and may not represent all medical services offered by each doctor. For proper diagnosis and treatment, it is recommended to consult directly with the relevant doctor.
If you have any questions or need further information, please contact our call center at 0811-1900-2000.
