Liver cancer, also known as hepatocellular carcinoma, is a rare type of cancer in the United States, the Mayo Clinic says. Its manifestations include unintentional weight loss, upper stomach pain, yellowing of the skin or eyes, poor appetite, nausea, vomiting and fatigue.
Sorafenib
Sorafenib is chemotherapy medication used to treat liver cancer, says Drugs.com. Specifically, sorafenib prevents liver cancer from infiltrating other regions of the body because it stops liver cell growth. Drugs.com says sorafenib also treats advanced renal cell carcinoma (a type of severe kidney cancer).
Sorafenib's side effects include stomach pain, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, headache and poor appetite. This drug can cause fatigue, weight loss, joint or bone pain and numbness or swelling of the feet or hands, says Drugs.com. Sorafenib's serious effects include chest pain, high blood pressure, black or bloody stools, lack of coordination, difficulty breathing, loss of balance and abnormal bleeding.
Sorafenib should not be used in pregnancy. It can lead to birth defects or further harm to the unborn child.
Sorafenib is a tablet taken one to two hours after eating.
Doxorubicin
Doxorubicin is an antibiotic drug used to treat liver cancer. MedlinePlus says it also treats cancer of the breast, stomach or intestines, ovaries and bladder. Doxorubicin also treats leukemia (blood cancer) and Wilm's tumor, a type of kidney tumor.
MedlinePlus indicates that doxorubicin's side effects include nausea and vomiting up to one or two days after treatment, diarrhea, trouble swallowing, lack of appetite and thinning of the hair. Doxorubicin also causes pain, swelling or peeling at the soles or palms of the feet, trouble swallowing, loss of appetite and blistering of the mouth. Doxorubicin's serious effects include abnormal bleeding or bruising, a fever and red urine or sweat, says MedlinePlus.
Doxorubicin is given as an injection. Its dose and duration is up to the physician.
Cisplatin
Cisplatin is a chemotherapy drug utilized to manage liver cancer. According to MedlinePlus, cisplatin is a platinum-containing compound that also treats advanced bladder cancer and metastatic (spreading) ovarian and testicular tumors.
Cisplatin's side effects include diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, loss of hair (alopecia), diarrhea, fatigue, a change in taste, wheezing, shortness of breath, dizziness and a skin rash. Cisplatin can also cause black or bloody stools, fainting and swelling of the ankles or feet.
Cisplatin is an injection given in the hospital or clinic for as long as a doctor indicates.
