Liver Cancer Prognosis And Treatment

Abdominal pain and weight loss are among the symptoms and signs of liver cancer. Abnormal cell growth causes tumors that can appear on the liver causing it to malfunction. The liver is made up of different cell types, therefore, various types of tumors can appear in the liver. The two main types of cancer are hepatoma and cholangiocarcinoma. In most cases, a damaged liver causes tumors that can turn malignant. Those infected with the Hepatitis B virus are at an increased risk of developing hepatoma, which is cancer of the hepatocytes. Cholangiocarcinoma on the other hand occurs in the bile duct cells and spreads in lines or sheet that is difficult to detect even through X-ray tests. Liver cancer treatment is available for both forms of cancer, which varies between individuals.

Loss of appetite leading to weight loss, bloating, nausea, blood clotting, and right upper abdominal pain are the common symptoms of liver cancer. Some males develop swollen breasts. However, a thorough medical examination is required to diagnose liver cancer. An important step in the prognosis and treatment process is liver cancer staging, which forms the basis for treatment. Typically, there are three stages in the development of liver cancer, localized resectable, localized unresectable, and advanced stage.

The most common and effective treatment for localized resectable stage cancer is surgery. The surgical removal of the tumor can be performed in several ways. Surgery is possible because the vital blood vessels are not affected during the procedure. In the localized unresectable stage the tumor affects important blood vessels thereby ruling out surgical removal. In the advanced stage, the lobes of the liver are affected, which is likely to spread to other organs such as the lungs, lymph nodes, and bones.

The type of liver cancer treatment varies among individuals. Metastatic liver cancer is often difficult to diagnose. Blood tests, ultrasound, MRI or Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and CT scan are useful in the diagnosis of liver cancer. However, tests may remain inconclusive, as they may not be able to distinguish cancer from cirrhosis. In such cases, a liver biopsy is conducted in order to achieve conclusive results. The common forms of treatment for metastatic liver cancer include surgical removal of the tumors, chemotherapy, alcohol injection, radiofrequency ablation, and cryoablation. Radiation therapy is effective in alleviating pain while chemotherapy can prolong the lifespan of a patient. Cryosurgery is increasingly being recommended by the medical fraternity. Various side effects are associated with each form of treatment. These include pain, skin rash, hair loss, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting.

Factors that determine the course of treatment are the location of the tumor in the liver, the stage of cancer, and the general health condition of the patient. Most forms of treatment aim at total remission, which means that there is no evidence of cancer following treatment. In cases where the possibility of complete recovery is remote, the treatment aims at limiting the spread of the cancer. Palliative treatment in the form of painkillers and other treatments help to ease symptoms of pain.

The overall prognosis on liver cancer is poor, with a great deal of ongoing research on various treatment options still in progress. Surgery is still considered the most effective when the tumor is small and has not spread. Most other forms of treatment are not considered curative, and are prescribed to delay the progression of liver cancer.