Liver Cancer Treatment

Liver cancer is a severe disease with a high mortality rate. After the appearance of a neoplasm, a fatal outcome may occur after a few months. Oncology can occur in the lobes of the liver or bile ducts. The tumor is characterized by rapid proliferation and the formation of metastases, as well as low susceptibility to the treatment. During the diagnosis, the stage of the disease is established. There are four in total, the classification depends on morphological features, tumor location and degree of damage:The first (I). The tumor can be of different sizes, but located within the body, there is no germination in the vessels, lymph nodes andother organs. Functioning takes place in full. At an early stage, the first signs of liver cancer are fatigue, weakness, decreased performance and discomfort at the top of the right side. After a few weeks, there is an increase in liver in size.The second (II). The formation increases to 5 cm in diameter, while a feeling of heaviness and dull or aching pain in the abdomen are added to the existing symptoms. At first, painful sensations appear episodically during physical exertion, then it becomes more intense and constant. In the second stage, there are signs of digestive upset, such as loss of appetite, flatulence, nausea,vomiting, diarrhea. The patient begins to rapidly lose weight.Third (III). Malignant growth grows, other foci of localization of pathological cells appear. Cancer is most often detected at this stage due to the fact that the symptoms are becoming more pronounced.There are three substages of the disease:    IIIa. The tumor spreads along the lobes of the liver and significantly increases in size. Germination occurs in large veins, but there is no spread to distant organs and lymph nodes.    IIIb. The fusion of malignant cells with closely spaced abdominal organs and the external membrane of the liver is observed. In process notthe bladder is involved.    IIIc. The liver is affected more and more, spreading to the lymph nodes. The function of the organ is impaired, which affects the state of the body. The patient develops edema, icteric skin tone, spider veins, ascites, and a feeling of fullness in the abdomen. The work of the endocrine glands is disrupted and the body temperature rises. A sharp weight loss entails a sharpening of facial features and a decrease in the elasticity of the skin. The pain becomes strong and constant. At this stage, there are often nasal and intra-abdominal bleeding.    Fourth (IV). Stage 4 liver cancer is consideredirreversible process. Metastases with lymph and blood flow spread throughout the body, increasingly disrupting the functions of organs and systems. There are two stages of liver cancer 4 degrees:    IVA. Damage to the entire organ is noted, the tumor grows into the surrounding organs and vessels. In distant organs, metastases are not detected.     IVB. All organs and systems are affected by malignant cells. There are multiple neoplasms of different sizes. Grade 4 liver cancer with metastases is accompanied by dilatation of the veins in the trunk, constipation, severe acute pain, psycho-emotional instability, sudden mood swings, significant lossweight, increase in abdomen in size. If you look at the photos of patients with grade 4 liver cancer, you can see the pathological appearance of the skin, unhealthy thinness with protruding bones and severe swelling of the body.Oncology lends itself well to treatment in the first two stages, then it is no longer possible to cure. Oncologists can only prescribe symptomatic treatment to alleviate the condition and relieve severe pain.When asked how long they live with stage 4 liver cancer, there is no single answer. Everything will depend on the degree of damage and the patient’s reaction to the therapy.TreatmentThe patient and his surroundings are alwaysworried if liver cancer is being treated or not? This question can only be answered by the attending physician, who owns information about the results of tests and diagnostic examinations. When choosing a treatment strategy for liver cancer, it matters:   - tumor size;    - localization of education;    - degree of damage;    - tumor operability;    - the presence of metastases;    - the general condition of the patient.The following treatment directions are used to slow down the growth of a tumor, its resorption and increase life expectancy in liver oncology:    Drug therapy.To the patientNexavar and Sorafenib are prescribed, the active substances of which have a toxic effect on the affected cells. Thanks to the targeted effect on education, healthy tissues are practically not damaged. Traditional chemotherapy almost does not help with liver cancer.Radiation therapy.The use of focused x-rays in large doses helps to resorb the tumor, reduce pain and transfer the disease into remission. Suitable for the treatment of oncology at any stage.    AblationThis method is the destruction of the neoplasm by introducing ethanol into the tumor, as well as the use of microwave radiation, powerful radio waves, and cryodestruction. Treatment without surgeryon the liver with oncology gives a good effect if the tumor has a diameter of less than 3 cm.    Vascular embolization.Due to the introduction of special drugs into the vessels of the liver, the access to blood to the neoplasm is blocked, thereby causing a decrease in its size. The method has a positive effect on tumors with a diameter of up to 5 cm. It is most often used in combination with ablation, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.Can liver cancer be cured with surgery? In most cases, surgical treatment allows you to look to the future with confidence. Tumor removal or liver transplantation greatly increases the patient’s chances ofprolonged remission. The conditions for surgical intervention are tumor operability, single localized metastases and the absence of oncological lesions outside the liver. How to treat liver cancer if the tumor is inoperable? In this case, the introduction of cytostatics directly into large vessels of the liver and the use of the above minimally invasive methods are indicated.It should be remembered that there is no miracle cure for liver cancer, but you must always believe in recovery. When asked whether liver cancer is treated, in most cases, oncologists respond positively. In our clinic, a friendly team of doctors with the highest medical categories and scientific titles helps to find health.