Liver cancer is a chronic condition that occurs in the liver. The condition may differ depending on the origin of the cancer. The organ is situated near the abdomen- specifically the right side of it- right below the diaphragm. Simply, it is located above the stomach. There are several types of cancers that originate in the liver.
The recognition of the cancer in its early stage is important for preventing any further damage to the body. The condition may deteriorate to lead to severe symptoms that may become fatal. The following article will discuss the types of cancer along with the symptoms, risk factors and ways to improve the experience of its symptoms.
Chronic diseases such as cancer take a heavy toll on the person, as well as their caretaker or family members. Thus, it is important to know the ways through which one can recognize the symptoms.
Types of Liver Cancer
- Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC): A type of primary liver cancer, HCC occurs due to the formation of cancer cells in the liver and is the most common type of cancer. The fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma is a rare form of the cancer. It is fairly easy to diagnose due to the presence of fibrous bands that are present in the tumor cells.
- Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: Another type of a primary liver cancer, this occurs in the bile ducts- which is why it is also known as bile duct cancer. This forms a rare liver cancer type that can be diagnosed in at least two to three thousand people in the US every year.
- Hepatoblastoma (Primarily in Children): This is a type of liver cancer that originates in the liver cells- detected early in childhood. This is a common type of malignant tumor found in the liver during childhood. These are mostly detected in the right lobe of the liver.
Risk Factors for Liver Cancer
- Chronic Hepatitis Infections (B and C): Both types of infections can increase the risk of liver cancer.
- Cirrhosis: This is an irreversible and progressive condition that can cause the formation of scar tissues in the liver. Moreover, this leads to an increased chance of liver cancer.
- Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): This condition is another risk factor for liver cancer. The accumulation of fat in the liver has been proven to be a significant risk factor.
- Alcohol Consumption: A common risk factor for several conditions, this one factor can also increase the risk of developing liver cancer. Thus, limiting the amount of alcohol can positively affect your risk of liver cancer.
- Diabetes and Obesity: Both of these can increase the chances of you developing liver cancer as these can weaken the immune system. It was proven through research that a diabetic liver is more prone to developing liver cancer. This is because diabetes causes scarring of the liver tissue which leads to the loss of liver function. Connected to NAFLD in a way, being obese or overweight increases the condition’s development due to the changes in liver tissues. The inflammation that is caused by the fat tissue can increase insulin resistance as well.
| Note: The following article is curated with the intent of sharing information. Consult a professional if you find resemblance with any information in the following sections. |
General Symptoms of Liver Cancer
The following list presents the common symptoms that are observed. The general symptoms are:
- Unexplained Weight Loss
- Fatigue and Weakness
- Loss of Appetite
- Abdominal Pain or Discomfort
There are more symptoms and signs that can indicate an anomaly within the organ. This is because the liver becomes bigger as the condition progresses. The growing cancer within the organ can cause the right side of the abdomen to swell.
The following section contains the different symptoms that are also noted in patients as the cancer progresses or depending on the associated risk factors that are present.
Specific Symptoms Related to Liver Function
- Jaundice: A classic indicator of liver anomalies, jaundice is also observed in patients developing liver cancer. This is because the cancer blocks a bile duct in the liver which prevents it from working properly. There is also a possibility that the cancer is widespread and is now replacing the liver. This leads to a buildup of bilirubin in the blood.
- Itchy Skin: This is another unique symptom that occurs during the development of this condition as the normal drainage of fluid gets blocked. The chemicals which cannot leave the body through the connecting bile duct causes the chemicals to enter the skin. This triggers itching.
- Swelling in the Abdomen: This is due to the growing cancer, which enlarges the liver.
- Pale-colored Stools: This is also connected to the blocked bile duct which prevents the digestive fluid from flowing into the small intestine.
- Dark Urine: This is due to the high level of bilirubin which is excreted through the kidneys. The growing cancer in the liver, along with the inflammation, can lead to the urine being dark in color.
Symptoms in Advanced Stages
- Enlarged Liver: Also known as hepatomegaly, the condition is due to the growing cancer in the organ.
- Ascites: The presence of fluid in the abdomen is due to the action of cancer cells that line the abdomen and make it produce excess fluid.
- Confusion and Cognitive Changes: Secondary liver cancer can lead to the buildup of substances in the blood that can cause confusion and disorientation, while also leading to coma in severe cases.
Signs in Children with Hepatoblastoma
- Abdominal Swelling: In children receiving a diagnosis of hepatoblastoma, they may display a sign of abdominal swelling due to the growing cancer in the liver. This causes a change in the abdomen.
The following two symptoms are also observed in children.
- Weight Loss: Sudden weight loss may be interlinked with other factors such as loss of appetite.
- Nausea and Vomiting: This can happen due to the effect of the hormones that tumors make. These hormones can increase the level of calcium in the blood which presents as feeling nauseous and vomiting.
Diagnostic Procedures
- Blood Tests for Liver Function: These help in checking if the liver is working fine and if there is a presence of tumor markers. These are chemicals that help in detecting if the cancer is spreading.
- Imaging Studies (Ultrasound, CT, MRI): These tests help in visualizing the changes in liver (and the surrounding area.) Tests such as ultrasound, MRI, or CT scan can help look for primary liver cancer. The professional can look for the location of the abnormal tissues in your organ.
- Biopsy for Definitive Diagnosis: This is another method to detect the presence of liver cancer in an individual. This diagnosis is helpful in confirming the diagnosis of liver cancer. This allows the
Treatment Options for Liver Cancer
- Surgery: The two popular options of surgical treatment for liver cancer are resection and liver transplant. The two methods are suggested depending on the condition of the person. Resection is removing a part of the liver where the cancer is still present- this is useful when the cancer is detected early on. Or in case of advanced liver cancer, the patient may require liver transplant which is replacing a major part or entire organ with a healthy, donor liver.
- Ablation and Embolization Therapies: These methods are useful when the tumor is larger than 3 centimeters in diameter. The combination of these therapies can help in enhancing the effectiveness of the treatment approach.
- Radiation Therapy: The use of high-energy rays for killing the cancer cells is how most cancer treatments proceed. People with liver damage can opt for this option.
- Targeted Therapy and Immunotherapy: This may combine the traditional chemotherapy with the drugs that can destroy the cancer cells.
Coping with Symptoms and Side Effects
The entire journey of liver cancer- from receiving the diagnosis till the treatment process can be arduous for the person. This requires support for the patient’s emotional, and mental wellbeing along with taking care of their physical health. Providing support is necessary when thinking of improving the person’s quality of life.
This is necessary when you consider the fact that the person’s quality of life deteriorates significantly. The quality of life of a person experiencing a condition- either chronic or acute- is how their experience of living a life becomes “poor.”
This may differ depending on the condition- some people with a chronic condition may experience a poor quality of life due to the impact of the treatment which affects their physical health. The following list highlights the top five ways in which people with a diagnosis of liver cancer can cope with it:
- Pain Management: The experience of the symptoms can bring with it discomfort as well as pain. For example, someone who experiences enlargement of the liver, may experience abdominal pain. Within the hospital setting, a person experiencing this adverse effect of their diagnosis can receive support for pain management.
This may look as physical therapy that eases the pain or the use of pain medication. For example, acetaminophen, opioids such as morphine or tramadol or NSAIDs such as ibuprofen.
- Nutritional Support: Some people can experience weakness or loss of appetite. This can cause a lack of energy as well. However, a person undergoing chemotherapeutic treatment requires the nutrition that can help them recuperate and recover from the intense damage within their body. This is where a professional such as a nurse, caretaker or an interdisciplinary nutrition support team can help.
- Emotional and Psychological Well-being: As mentioned earlier, the patient as well as their family members go through a tumultuous period that can be extremely draining especially from the psychological and emotional fronts. The interdisciplinary team that looks after a patient experiencing liver cancer also includes a mental health professional. They can provide the necessary emotional and psychological support.
- Coping With The Physical Side Effects: There are chances of the patient experiencing physical side effects due to the treatment. This may include pain, weakness, fatigue, signs of bleeding, or infection. There may be more depending on individual experiences. However, these can be managed with the support from your doctors.
- Coping With Barriers To Care: Some people can experience different rates of cancer, while also experiencing a difference in their experience of the outcomes. This difference in the experience of a condition is popularly called cancer disparities. These are due to the barriers that exist to accessing medical care and social determinants of health. These mainly affect people belonging to ethnic or racial minorities, people with fewer financial resources, older adults or those belonging to LGBTQI+ and other underserved communities.
Conclusion
Thus, this was all on the liver cancer symptoms that a person may experience as their cancer develops and progresses. The symptoms may be severe such as to cause coma. It may even cause pain in the abdomen, weakness, abdominal swelling or jaundice. All of these are directly related to the disruption in the liver function.
The article also describes the ways to cope with the symptoms or the adverse effect of treatment. Know of any other coping strategies? Let us know in the comments below!
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