One of the most common pathologies of the liver are tumors. They are neoplasms of a different nature (both benign and malignant). The first type of the disease is not very common, is diagnosed by chance and does not bother the patient much. The second variety often appears in cancer of other organs, when the pathological process spreads to the liver tissue. Tumor treatment depends on how accurately its nature is determined.
What factors contribute to the development of the disease?
Experts identify several common causes for this condition.
In most cases, the following conditions and influences contribute to the formation of a tumor in the liver:
- Inflammatory processes in the tissues of an organ that develop under the influence of toxic compounds or viruses.
- Presence of gallstones.
- Cirrhosis.
- Unfavorable heredity.
- Destruction of an organ due to parasitic invasions.
- Using drugs containing steroids for a long time.
- Indulgence in alcohol-containing products.
- Drug addiction.
- Blood transfusion, infection with a liver infection after this procedure.
- Wrong diet (eating fatty foods, lack of foods containing fiber).
- A lot of extra pounds.
- Genetic liver disease.
- Diabetes.
- Benign neoplasms in the intestines.
According to statistics, a liver tumor is most often diagnosed in male patients aged 40 and older.
Non-life threatening disease
This section deals with benign neoplasms.
Pathologies themselves do not lead to death. They are not characterized by rapid growth, do not have the ability to spread to other organs and tissues. A benign liver tumor is most often found in residents of large cities, in industrial areas with adverse environmental conditions. Most patients with this pathology are females. Such neoplasms are found mainly in people from 40 to 55 years old. Since this condition is not characterized by vivid symptoms, the patient often does not attach importance tomild discomfort. In advanced cases, the tumor can transform into cancerous. Doctors say that only timely detection and treatment of neoplasms can help prevent such a serious complication. Therefore, it is not worth delaying a visit to the doctor.
Types of benign liver tumors
There are several types of such neoplasms. Among them are the following:
- Adenoma formed from the cells of an organ or canals. It has the appearance of a nodule with a hard texture. Such a tumor is not characterized by pronounced symptoms. However, patients may feel overwhelmed, sleep disturbances, bouts of dizziness and loss of consciousness are observed. A complication of this condition is the rupture of the neoplasm. In this case, the patient turns pale, feels a strong pain at the site of the adenoma. If the tumor is diagnosed in a timely manner, surgical intervention is used as therapy. Either a neoplasm or a section of the liver is removed. In some cases, a transplant is required.
- A tumor formed from a canal located inside an organ. It looks like a cyst, in the cavity of which there is a mucous fluid. This is a rare type of neoplasm that can be treated with surgery.
- A liver tumor of a congenital nature, formed from the vessels of the organ. It is manifested by severe discomfort and an increase in the size of the peritoneum. Therapy is to remove the neoplasm.
- A cyst formed from the bile duct, it contains various fluids (blood, lymph).
- Increase in the proportion of the organ due to the process of necrosis of structuresepithelium.
- Capillary neoplasm.
- Purple tumor (represents an area consisting of many cavities). It is an extremely rare pathology.
Vascular neoplasms and nodes
These pathologies are quite common. They consist of the tissues of the organ itself or its vessels and ducts. The tumors are round in shape, have a gray or bright red tint. Their size may be different. There is an opinion that such neoplasms in women are associated with the use of hormonal agents that protect against unwanted conception. Some types of benign tumors are prone to transformation into cancer pathology.
Sometimes an anomaly is formed as a result of excessive growth of veins. In many cases, it represents a birth defect.
Knots in the liver are formed due to dysfunction of certain parts of the organ. They have a red or pinkish tint, an uneven surface. This is a rather dangerous neoplasm, as it tends to turn into cancer.
Cysts
Tumours of this kind develop as a result of parasitic invasions, congenital anomalies and mechanical damage. In some cases, the activity of the body is not disturbed. For example, with multiple cysts in the liver, which usually occur in minors, a person does not feel much discomfort.
Sometimes formations of this kind are formed due to obstruction of the bile ducts or after mechanical damage (as a result of hemorrhage).
The most common tumors of the rightlobe of the liver. Cysts can grow, and, reaching large sizes, put pressure on nearby organs. In this case, the patient suffers from symptoms such as vomiting and discomfort in the upper peritoneum.
Neoplasms of this type are dangerous for the development of complications (rupture, bleeding, purulent process). Large cysts must be treated surgically. If the tumor is large, it is removed along with a fragment of the liver.
Signs of benign neoplasms
Many pathologies of this type do not make themselves felt by severe symptoms.
However, tumors formed from vessels (blood, lymph) can lead to a deterioration in well-being. The patient experiences nausea, abdominal discomfort, and belching. If the pathology is not treated, it can cause yellowing of the skin, bleeding into the abdominal cavity, which is accompanied by severe pain. In some cases, anomalies are palpated during the examination of the patient by a specialist. When the organ increases in volume, the doctor immediately notices this phenomenon.
Necessary examinations
If the doctor suspects that a person has a liver tumor, and the symptoms that the patient lists also indicate this, it is recommended to undergo tests to clarify the diagnosis.
The list of events that a specialist appoints is approximately the following:
- Laboratory analyzes of biological material (blood and urine).
- Survey to determine ifwhether the patient has a malignant pathology.
- Assessment of the state of the liver using ultrasound and tomography. Helps to establish the size, appearance, location of the anomaly.
- Tumor study using iodine.
- Laboratory analysis of organ tissues.
Therapy
During the diagnosis, the doctor manages to find out what character the neoplasm has. With a benign liver tumor and symptoms of this pathology, certain medications are prescribed. Surgical intervention is performed if the patient is at risk of complications or the defect reaches a significant size. Surgery is recommended for women who are planning to conceive.
As drugs that can relieve the symptoms of the disease, doctors prescribe the following:
- Antiulcer drugs, remedies for abdominal discomfort.
- Medicines that reduce spasm.
- Activated carbon and various adsorbents that eliminate gas formation.
- Hepatoprotectors.
- Vitamin supplements.
- Means that improve digestion.
Folk Therapy
For liver tumors, treatment can be carried out with the help of products based on natural ingredients. This, for example, is a mixture of propolis and alcohol. Horseradish decoction, a tincture made from burdock roots, is also used.
These funds serve as an addition to the main treatment prescribed by the doctor, and contribute to a faster improvement in the patient's well-being. In general, with timely detection and treatment of a tumor inliver of a benign nature, patients manage to completely get rid of this pathology.
Life-threatening conditions
There are several types of anomalies that can be fatal. They are caused by the growth of abnormal cells in the liver. These diseases include cancer and malignancy. These states are different. But what they have in common is that they pose a danger to life.
The largest percentage of patients with such anomalies are men aged 45 to 65 years. However, there are types of tumors that are seen in young people and even minors.
Signs of illness
In the initial stages, the patient usually does not feel severe discomfort. However, as the pathology develops, the individual's well-being worsens. Typical symptoms include:
- Feeling of pain in the right side of the peritoneum under the ribs.
- Decreased craving for food.
- Weight loss.
- Bleeding from the nasal cavity.
- Feeling sick.
- Severe fatigue.
- Meteorism.
- Temperature increase.
- Yellowish skin color.
- Defecation disorders.
Unfortunately, symptoms characteristic of a liver tumor appear only in the later stages, and treatment in such cases no longer gives a tangible result.
As the pathology develops, the patient experiences exhaustion, headache, weakness, sleep disorders, strongswelling of the peritoneum, the outflow of blood from the digestive tract.
Examinations
If a doctor suspects that a person is suffering from liver cancer, diagnostic measures are recommended:
- General analyzes of biomaterial (blood, urine, organ cells).
- Assessment of the condition using a tomograph.
- Ultrasound of tumors of the liver, lymph nodes.
- Iodine examination.
- Assessment of the state of the vessels of the organ.
- Examining the patient and probing the liver.
Therapy
Treatment involves surgery and the use of drugs. The doctor makes the decision to remove the neoplasm taking into account such circumstances as the volume of the tumor, its location, the presence or absence of foci in other organs. Sometimes there is a transplant. In addition, pathology is fought with cold cauterization, radiation, as well as drugs that destroy dangerous cells. For liver tumors, removal may not be effective enough.
Other therapies aim to achieve a greater effect.
Dangerous consequences and forecast
Complications that may occur with the disease can be listed:
- Formation of foci in other organs.
- Severe swelling of the peritoneum.
- Blood flow from neoplasm vessels.
- Violation of the patency of the ducts.
- Serious organ dysfunction.
In a malignant liver tumor, the patient experiences nausea,vomiting urge. As a result, he refuses to eat. The inability to eat properly leads to severe exhaustion. Naturally, the result of this phenomenon is a fatal outcome.
Speaking about the prognosis for a liver tumor and how long they live with such a pathology, it should be noted that the mortality rate for this disease in the later stages is quite high. Modern methods of therapy can only slightly improve the condition. Most patients die within two to three years.
It is quite possible to avoid the occurrence of a dangerous disease. You should eliminate addictions, stick to the right diet.
It is also recommended to maintain a normal weight, avoiding excessive accumulation of adipose tissue. Naturally, liver infections, parasitic pathologies should be avoided. If a person has noticed any signs of a disorder in the activity of an organ, he should seek medical help. Early detection of violations will help to determine the therapy in a timely manner and prevent the development of formidable complications.
