Liver Cancer Transarterial radioembolization explained
August 4, 2025 Word for Word Media
#SpreadTheHope

Prof Charles Sanyika explains transarterial radioembolization, a minimally invasive and highly targeted treatment for liver tumours.

Transarterial radioembolization (TARE), also known as selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT), is a form of targeted internal radiation therapy used to treat liver cancers.  It involves delivering tiny radioactive particles directly into the blood vessels that supply cancerous tumours in the liver. This enables a high dose of radiation to be delivered to the tumour while minimising exposure to healthy liver tissue. The radioactive element most commonly used is yttrium-90 (Y-90), a pure beta-emitting isotope that delivers high-energy radiation over a very short distance, making it ideal for localised treatment…

Read More
Liver Cancer Liza Truter – Defying the odds
September 30, 2024 Word for Word Media
#SpreadTheHope

After two liver cancer surgeries, Liza Truter was told she had roughly a few months to live. Ten years later, she tells the story of how she changed her lifestyle and miraculously survived. 

You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies

Liza Truter (62) lives in Gauteng with her husband. They have two children and three grandchildren. In 2014, while waiting in the car for my husband, I stretched, and it felt like something had torn inside of me. I couldn’t breathe and was in extreme pain. After a GP consultation, I was…

Read More
Liver Cancer Hepatocellular carcinoma in SA
September 30, 2024 Word for Word Media
#SpreadTheHope

Dr Leanne Prodehl unpacks the current standings of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in SA.

You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), more commonly known as liver cancer, is the sixth most common cancer and the third cause of cancer mortality globally. HCC is associated with a high mortality with mortality rates almost equivalent to incidence. Risk factors of hepatocellular carcinoma Hepatitis B, a virus, is transmitted vertically (mother to child), or horizontally through body fluids. In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), horizontal transmission usually occurs in childhood through play.  Ten…

Read More
Childhood Cancer Liver transplantation in hepatoblastoma
September 29, 2023 Word for Word Media
#SpreadTheHope

Dr Sarah Berkenfeld, a paediatric gastroenterologist, details when and how a liver transplantation is chosen for treatment of hepatoblastoma.

You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies

Understanding hepatoblastoma Hepatoblastoma is the most common primary liver cancer in children. In the past 30 years, overall five-year survival post-transplant has improved from 30 to 90%. Hepatoblastoma is staged according to how much of the liver has been invaded by the tumour both before and after chemotherapy and extent of spread of the disease. Cure is highly dependent on removing the…

Read More
Childhood Cancer Hepatoblastoma
July 31, 2023 Word for Word Media
#SpreadTheHope

 Prof Gita Naidu educates us on hepatoblastoma, a rare childhood cancer of the liver. 

You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies

What is hepatoblastoma? Hepatoblastoma is a cancer of the liver in children under three years of age and affects 1-2 million children globally. Symptoms A painful lump in the middle or upper right side of the abdomen. Nausea and vomiting Loss of appetite Yellow-coloured skin or eyes Unexplained weight loss  What causes hepatoblastoma? Premature birth Low birth weight Early exposure to hepatitis B Biliary atresia Hemihyperplasia Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome Familial…

Read More
Childhood Cancer Karabo Nstiane – Thriving toddler
July 31, 2023 Word for Word Media
#SpreadTheHope

 Kegomoditswe Nstiane shares the journey of her daughter, Karabo, who was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma at four months, and how she is now an energetic three-year-old who is thriving.

You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies

Karabo Nstiane (3) lives in Krugersdorp, Gauteng with her parents, Kegomoditswe Nstiane and Herbert Matlhole, and her older brother, Koketso. Swollen tummy When Karabo was four months old, her mother, Kegomoditswe, noticed her tummy was swollen. “I thought it was from the formula I was giving her as I was mix-feeding her with breast milk and formula. I took her to the…

Read More
Liver Cancer Cancer of the liver
September 29, 2020 Word for Word Media
#SpreadTheHope
Dr Nirasha Chiranjan gives us a rundown on cancer of the liver. Liver cancer is a leading cause of cancer death in both men and women. Globally, the most common type of primary liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In many cases, it arises from underlying liver disease due to viral hepatitis or non-viral chronic liver disease.  The viral causes are hepatitis B and hepatitis C. The most common non-viral causes are alcohol and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The incidence of liver cancers is expected to rise in the future due to poor lifestyle and diet.1,2  What is the…

Read More