Cancer is one of the leading causes of death. The modern development of medicine still does not allow guaranteeing patients a complete recovery, especially in cases where the disease is detected at a late stage. Liver cancer is a dangerous disease, given the importance of this organ for the normal functioning of the body. Consider further the causes, symptoms and therapy of pathology, as well as the prognosis for patients.
What is oncopathology
Liver cancer is a malignant neoplasm that develops in the lobes of the liver or its ducts, through which bile is excreted.
Cancers in this organ are fast growing and difficult to cure. According to statistics, the incidence among all cancers is 7%.
Types of tumors in the organ
Signs of liver cancer and the choice of treatment tactics will depend on the cause of the tumor. The liver in the body plays the role of a chemical laboratory that cleanses the blood of toxic substances.and harmful substances. That is why, if a malignant tumor has appeared in the body in any organ, then there is a high probability of penetration of cancer cells into the liver with the blood flow. Depending on the etiology of occurrence, types of tumors are distinguished:
- Primary. It develops in the liver itself from degenerated hepatocytes. There are several varieties: hepatoma - from cells of the liver parenchyma, cholangiocarcinoma - from cells of the biliary tract, angiosarcoma develops from blood vessels.
- Secondary malignant tumor. It develops from cancer cells that have entered the organ from other parts of the body. Most often, these are metastases from the intestines, genital organs.
Primary liver cancer is diagnosed much less frequently. The male half of humanity suffers from this pathology much more often. Almost 90% of all tumors in the liver are malignant. For women, this number is only 40%.
Anatomical structure of the tumor
Malignant formations in the liver may differ in their structure, depending on this, they are distinguished:
- Massive cancer. The tumor can reach the size of a human fist and is separated from other cells by a capsule.
- Nodal. Several tumors the size of a walnut develop simultaneously in the liver.
- Diffuse. Cancer cells spread throughout the body.
No matter what type of liver cancer a person is, it is more important to detect it in time to improve the patient's chances of recovery.
Causes for the development of malignantliver tumors
If the cells of this organ are weakened as a result of exposure to various harmful substances, against the background of diseases, then the risk of developing oncopathology increases. Causes of liver cancer include:
- The presence of chronic hepatitis of a viral nature. Hepatitis B is found in 80% of cancer patients.
- Cirrhosis of the liver. Pathology creates favorable conditions for the development of malignant cells.
- Cholelithiasis. The formation of stones in this organ provokes an inflammatory process, and the cells begin to mutate.
- Syphilis. The causative agent of pathology penetrates with the bloodstream into the liver and affects blood vessels and tissues, increasing the risk of developing cancer.
- Diabetes mellitus.
- Presence of parasites in the liver. These include: liver fluke, Siberian fluke.
- Having bad habits.
- Exposure to the body of toxic substances: pesticides, chlorine, arsenic.
- Toxins secreted by fungi. When using affected products, the likelihood of developing oncopathology increases. This problem is more common in countries with low living standards.
- Predisposition to the development of cancer.
One of the risk factors can also include the use of anabolic steroids, which athletes often sin to accelerate the build-up of strength and muscle mass.
Stages of liver cancer
Any oncological disease occurs with a change of several stages. Fortumors in the liver are also not an exception. There are the following degrees of liver cancer:
- At the first stage, a small tumor is formed in the organ, which does not affect the vessels, bile ducts, and lymph nodes. Symptoms at this stage are practically absent. The patient may feel weakness, fatigue, discomfort in the upper abdomen, but these manifestations are attributed to other conditions and diseases.
- The second stage of liver cancer is characterized by a tumor that begins to grow into the vessels. There may be several neoplasms, but of a small diameter. Pathology begins to manifest itself with nausea, aching pains, upset stool. On examination, the liver is enlarged and hard.
- The third stage has several stages:
- IIIA. There are several tumors in the liver, but one is more than 5 cm. The neoplasm does not affect the lymph nodes and neighboring organs.
- IIIB. The tumor affects the veins of the liver, but the lymph nodes are not affected.
- IIIC. At this stage of cancer, liver metastases spread to neighboring organs. The tumor may also grow into a capsule that surrounds the outside of the liver.
The third degree of pathology does not go unnoticed, the patient loses weight, swelling appears, the temperature rises.
4. The fourth stage also has sub-stages:
- IVA. A large number of neoplasms are found in the liver. They affect the blood vessels, lymph nodes. Stage 4 liver cancer with metastases in neighboring tissues.
- IVB. The innovation does not affectonly neighboring tissues, but also distant organs. The patient's condition is rapidly deteriorating.
Treatment for liver cancer is tailored to the stage of the disease.
Cancer metastases
In almost 90% of cases, liver cancer develops against the background of penetration of metastases from other cancer foci in the body. The primary tumor can also metastasize from liver cancer, which most often penetrates the lungs, kidneys, pancreas, bones.
When malignant cells spread throughout the body, the prognosis worsens, as does the patient's condition.
Symptoms of cancerous pathology in the liver
Malignant tumors practically do not manifest themselves at the first stage of development, when treatment gives a high probability of complete recovery. Signs of liver cancer can be divided into specific and non-specific. The second category includes symptoms of intoxication of the body, deterioration in general well-being, weight loss.
Specific ones include: jaundice, internal bleeding, which are most often seen in stage 4 liver cancer.
Given that the liver is directly involved in the processes of digestion and neutralization of toxic substances, the first symptoms indicate their violation. The patient feels:
- Loss of appetite.
- Periodic nausea.
- Stool disorder.
- Pain that radiates to the shoulder blade and back.
- The skin and sclera of the eyes become icteric.
Feeling tight under ribs
As the immune system tries to fight cancer cells, it is not uncommon to experience a rise in temperature. Cushing's syndrome is another symptom of liver cancer in women and men. This is a manifestation of endocrine disorders, which in advanced stages lead to the development of steroid diabetes.
Late symptoms of cancer
At the last stage of development, when cancer cells spread throughout the body beyond the liver, there are manifestations that indicate a malfunction of not only this organ, but also all systems.
Signs of grade 4 liver cancer include:
- Persistent and intense pain.
- Dramatic weight loss.
- Depletion of the body, which is accompanied by anemia.
- The patient constantly feels tired and exhausted.
- Dizziness that often ends in fainting.
- Due to impaired blood circulation, edema appears on the legs. In severe cases, the patient even loses the ability to move because of them.
- Ascites develops - accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity.
- The growing tumor affects the vessels, which ends with their rupture and internal bleeding.
- Lymph nodes increase.
- Dark spots appear on the skin.
The above manifestations may signal other pathologies, but if several are combined, it is worth suspecting liver cancer.
Malignant neoplasm in the liver in children
In children, oncology of this organ is diagnosed in the same way as inadults. Pathology occurs due to improper cell division, which is provoked by advanced hepatitis or an inflammatory process against the background of an infectious disease.
Children are at risk:
- Having cirrhosis of the liver.
- With drug-induced hepatitis.
- Diagnosed with heart failure.
- If gallstones are found.
- Having contact with chemicals.
In children, liver cancer in the first stages also occurs without specific symptoms, you can observe:
- Belly enlargement.
- Stool disorder.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Child gets tired quickly.
- Losing weight.
- Sometimes there is a slight increase in temperature.
When these signs appear, you should not delay a visit to the doctor, they do not always indicate oncopathology, but it is better to play it safe.
Gradually the tumor grows and the symptoms change:
- Yellow mucous membranes and skin.
- Urine turns dark and feces light.
- Internal bleeding begins in the intestines.
There are chances for recovery if a tumor is found in the first stages of development.
Cancer diagnosis
To make a diagnosis when unpleasant symptoms appear, you need to visit a specialist. The doctor puts it on the basis of the following studies:
- Conversation with the patient about complaints and the time of their occurrence.
- The liver is being palpated to detectcharacteristic changes.
- Lab tests show elevated bilirubin in the blood and urobilin in the urine.
- Alpha-fetoprotein indicators are measured in blood composition. This substance is produced by immature liver cells during fetal development. When oncopathology develops, cells lose their ability to normal maturation and ACE increases significantly.
- Ultrasound examination allows you to study the structure of the liver and detect a tumor.
- Computed tomography allows you to detect a tumor of small size due to the fact that thin sections of liver tissue are visible on the image, you can carefully study the structure, revealing the smallest neoplasms.
- MRI. Allows you to study the pathological area from different angles.
- Biopsy. Under ultrasound guidance, a small piece of the neoplasm is taken with a long needle for examination under a microscope.
After the examination, the doctor determines the stage of cancer, the type and prescribes treatment.
Oncopathology therapy
Modern methods of treatment will help increase life expectancy with a diagnosis of liver cancer. These include:
- Ablation. This is the destruction of a neoplasm without surgical intervention. To do this, ethyl alcohol is injected into the tumor, which destroys cancer cells. For this purpose, cryodestruction, microwave radiation, radio waves can be used. The technique is suitable for fighting tumors that do not exceed 3 in diameter.centimeters.
- Vascular embolization. By introducing special substances into the vessels of the liver, they block the access of blood to cancer cells, which helps to stop their growth. The method helps if the size of the formations is not more than 5 cm.
- Radiation therapy. With the help of X-rays, the size of the tumor is reduced, the intensity of pain is reduced, and life expectancy is increased.
- Chemotherapy. It is carried out using modern chemotherapy drugs that have a detrimental effect on cancer cells. Apply: Sorafenib and Nexavar. Drugs that are used for other types of cancer are not effective in treating liver cancer.
If there is a possibility and the tumor is detected in the early stages, then the most effective is surgical intervention. It is carried out using several methods:
- Resection or removal of the affected area. The operation is used for small tumors that have not affected the vessels and lymph nodes.
- Liver transplantation. Effective in the early stages, until cancer cells have spread throughout the body. Gives a chance for a full recovery, but the problem is to find a donor.
Combinations of several therapies are often used to increase the effectiveness of treatment.
Treatment with folk remedies
The effectiveness of using traditional recipes in the treatment of cancer has already been proven. When a tumor appears in the liver, the following remedies are considered the most effective:
- Propolis. Every day an hour before meals three times a daytake 5 grams of fresh propolis. The duration of treatment is at least 2-3 months. But this method is effective for small tumors.
- Decoction of oats. 1.5 cups of oats should be combined with 2 liters of cold water and boiled for 20 minutes. After cooling, take one hour before meals three times a day, dividing the amount received into three doses. Brew a new one every day.
- Hemlock tincture. Fill a third of a 3-liter jar with hemlock shoots. Add half a liter of vodka and mix. After a couple of minutes, top up to the brim, close and leave in a cool place for 2 weeks. The course of treatment should begin with 1 drop, which is taken in the morning before meals. Every day, increase the dose by 1 drop and so reach 40. Then reduce by 1 drop. After such a course, a break for two weeks and repeat again. In the presence of liver cancer, patient reviews say that it is enough to take 3-5 courses to cure oncopathology.
- Celandine. Grind the celandine root and squeeze the juice. For half a liter, take the same amount of vodka and insist 20 days. Take the medicine in a teaspoon 4 times a day 30 minutes before meals. Duration of admission 2 weeks.
Infusion of chaga. Grind 100 grams of birch chaga and pour a liter of cold, but boiled water. Two days to insist and strain. Take half an hour before meals three times a day for a glass. The duration of treatment is at least a month
When using folk recipes, it is important to remember that such therapy will not replace the main course. She can be greataddition to conservative methods of therapy, as a preventive measure to prevent relapse.
Changing the diet for cancer
Nutrition is equally important in the treatment of cancer. Meals should be light and support the body's strength in the fight against the disease, as well as help eliminate toxins and bile.
The following guidelines must be followed:
- Eat small meals, but 4-5 times a day.
- You can't stand the feeling of hunger.
- All meals should be easy to digest and stimulate the digestion process, so it's best to start each meal with raw vegetable salads and then move on to the main meal.
- Increase the amount of plant foods in the diet.
- Add sprouted grains to your diet for important micronutrients.
- Take carrot juice daily, it is a great liver cleanser.
- Exclude sugar, starch and flour from the diet.
- It is advisable to eat coarse bread.
- From cereals, preference is given to buckwheat and oatmeal.
- Make vegetable soups every day.
- Limit consumption of butter and refined vegetable oil. It is better to replace them with olive, linen.
- Every day there should be dairy products on the table: milk, cottage cheese, kefir, fermented baked milk.
- Sauerkraut is allowed in small quantities.
- 2-3 omelette eggs are allowed per week.
- From pastry, marmalade is allowed.
- You can drink herbal tea, green,compotes, fruit drinks.
Will have to give up some foods:
- Fatty meat.
- Alcoholic drinks.
- Spices, especially spicy.
- Soda drinks.
- Foods with nutritional supplements.
- Marinades.
- Coffee.
- Chocolate and cakes.
An integrated approach to treatment gives a good chance to the patient, but on condition that therapy is started in the first stages of cancer development.
Prognosis for patients
How long do people live with liver cancer? The answer to this question depends on many factors. If earlier this pathology was considered practically incurable, now much has changed. If the tumor is detected in the first stages, then the operation allows you to give the patient a chance for recovery.
The liver is capable of regeneration, so even removing a large part of it is not fatal, the organ will gradually recover and be able to perform its functions.
After surgery to remove liver cancer, the prognosis for survival for 40% of patients is about five years. If the neoplasm is removed at the 1st-2nd stage, then the percentage rises to 70. Many patients continue to lead a normal life after surgical removal of the tumor.
If the disease has gone too far and metastases have spread throughout the body, then there is no point in operating on the patient. With the help of other methods of treatment, the vital activity of the body is supported. Life expectancy is about six months.
The prognosis for the 3rd stage is unfavorable. Only 5-6% of patients can live for about five years, and when cancer of the 4th degree is reached, thisthe figure is only 2%.
If we talk about cancer in children, then, given the possibilities of a growing body and the use of the latest methods of treatment, it is possible to achieve remission at almost all stages except the fourth.
The capabilities of the body are different for everyone, therefore it is impossible to give the same prognosis for patients with one stage of cancer development.
Prevention of oncopathology
Protecting yourself against cancer is not 100% possible, but there are some steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing it. These include:
- Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. The harm of ultraviolet radiation for the body has already been scientifically proven. But this does not mean at all that you have to sit at home all day and go out at night. Just sunbathing should be dosed.
- Stay as little as possible in areas with unfavorable environmental conditions. Unfortunately, not everyone has the opportunity to change their place of residence, but this fact must be borne in mind.
- Drink purified water.
- Be sure to undergo treatment if hepatitis B, C is detected.
- Stick to a balanced diet containing all important trace elements and vitamins. You should not go to extremes, but the measure in nutrition will not hurt.
- Prevent congestion in the liver of bile.
- Eradicate bad habits that often provoke cirrhosis of the liver, and it is literally one step away from cancer.
- If parasites are found in the body, be sure to take a course of treatment.
- If there is a hereditary predisposition toseveral times you need to be more careful about your he alth.
Cancer is an unpleasant diagnosis, often patients give up, fall into depression. But we must always remember that often the outcome of treatment depends on our serious attitude to our he alth.
