Information From Your Health Care Provider

LIVER CANCER

Basic information

description

Liver cancer is the growth of malignant cells in the liver. The liver is the largest internal organ in the body. It is located behind the ribs on the right side. A primary cancer is when it begins in the liver. A secondary cancer is when it results from the spread (metastases) of cancer from another place in the body. The most common sources are cancers of the rectum, colon, lung, breast, pancreas, esophagus, or skin (malignant melanoma). Liver cancer can affect all ages, but is most common in men over 60.

FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

The early stages may produce no symptoms.
Loss of appetite and weight loss.
Tender mass in the right upper abdomen.
Pain in the upper abdomen.
Low fever, usually less than 101¡F (38.3¡C).
Yellow eyes and skin (from jaundice).
Swollen abdomen from fluid retention.
Nausea and vomiting.
Feeling tired or weak.

causes

Unknown. People with certain risk factors are more likely to develop liver cancer than others.

risk increases with

Chronic viral hepatitis B or hepatitis C infection.
Liver disease, such as cirrhosis of the liver.
Long-term exposure to aflatoxin (a substance in fungus that grows on peanuts, corn, other nuts, and grains).
Age over 60; males more than females.
Family history of liver cancer.
Tobacco use; chronic alcohol use.
Iron storage disease, diabetes, or obesity.
Other, more rare risk factors exist.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

Cancer screening and hepatitis B vaccine for high-risk persons.
Avoid excess alcohol use.
Avoid risk factors such as smoking and steroid use.

expected outcomes

This condition can be cured only if it is caught early, has not spread, and surgery is successful. In other cases, it cannot be cured, but treatment can help relieve symptoms and help a person live longer.
Scientific research into causes and treatment continues, so there is hope for effective treatment and cure.

possible complications

Liver failure and kidney failure.
Spread of cancer to other organs.
Death from loss of liver function.

diagnosis & treatment

general measures

Your health care provider will do a physical exam and ask questions about your symptoms. Medical tests may include blood studies, liver function tests, CT, and MRI. Other tests are often done to confirm the diagnosis and to determine if cancer has spread (called staging).
Treatment will depend on the stage of the cancer, your health, and your preferences. The treatments involve surgery, chemotherapy (anticancer drugs), targeted therapy, and radiation (used less often). Since many liver tumors cannot be removed by surgery, other treatment forms are evolving. These include embolization, radiofrequency ablation, cryotherapy, and alcohol injections. Your health care provider will discuss the options with you.
Surgery is done only for cancer found in an early stage. The cancer can still recur because cancer cells may have spread before surgery.
Liver transplants are done in a few select cases.
Treatment may involve steps to relieve symptoms and make you comfortable, rather than treating the cancer.
Counseling may help in coping with this disorder.
To learn more: American Cancer Society; (800) ACS-2345; website: www.cancer.org or National Cancer Institute; (800) 4-CANCER; website: www.nci.nih.gov.

medications

For minor discomfort, you may use nonprescription drugs such as acetaminophen. Stronger pain relievers will be prescribed as needed.
Anticancer or targeted therapy drugs may be given.

activity

Stay as active as your strength allows.

diet

No special diet. Don't drink alcohol.

notify our office if

You or a family member has symptoms of liver cancer, especially unexplained weight loss, low fever, or a mass is felt in the abdomen.
New or unexpected symptoms occur with treatment.