The liver is one of the vital organs of the body, located on the right side of the abdomen, below the diaphragm. It is protected by ribs. The liver plays an important role in the digestive process along with the pancreas and intestines. Some of its main functions are detoxification, protein synthesis, and the production of biochemicals needed for digestion.
The named organ promotes bile secretion, the production of protein necessary for blood clotting, the storage of glycogen, the decomposition of red blood cells and amino acids. The liver is also involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, fats and in the production of hormones.
In the article we will find out how, when cancer is diagnosed in the named organ, it is treated. Metastases in the liver do not allow an accurate prediction that they will not appear again, and in any case, the patient will have to monitor his condition and visit a doctor all his life.
What is metastasis
The risk that the cancer will spread to the liver depends on the location of the original tumor. Metastases are malignant tumors that have spread, for example, to the liver from another location in the body. In this case, they are called secondary liver cancer. Primary pathology occurs in the organ itself. But even if the tumor is removed, after many years, metastases can again enter the liver.
If a patient has been diagnosed with cancer, it is important to know its signs and understand how the treatment is carried out. Metastases in the liver require mandatory further observation of the patient by a specialist.
Metastasis process
There are 6 stages in the process of metastasis formation. Not all malignancies follow it, but in most cases this is how they progress:
- Cancer cells move from their primary location to nearby organs or he althy tissue.
- Metastases move through the walls of lymphatic and blood vessels.
- Cancer cells migrate through the lymphatic system and bloodstream to other parts of the body.
- Stop moving when they reach the target. Then metastases move through the capillaries (small blood vessels), their walls and penetrate into neighboring tissues.
- Cancer cells grow in a distant place and create small tumors called micrometastases.
- These formations stimulate the creation of new blood vessels that supply nutrients and oxygen,necessary for the growth of a malignant tumor.
Why do many malignant tumors metastasize to the liver
Localization of malignant tumors in the liver is mainly due to cancer of the stomach and esophagus. But often, due to lung cancer, liver metastases are also formed. Treatment (reviews about it are mixed) is aimed not only at eliminating the symptoms, but also at the causes of their occurrence.
Good blood circulation and features of the functioning of the liver determine its attraction for malignant cells. More than 1.5 liters of blood passes through it every minute. This organ is a kind of boiler for cleaning the blood of toxic substances.
Metastatic cells settle in places where the blood flow passes at a slower rate. According to this principle, liver metastases are also formed. Pancreatic cancer, the treatment of which, although aimed at non-spread to other organs, can still, for example, affect the described organ, especially if the disease is at the last stage.
Symptomatic manifestation of the disease
Unfortunately, in the early stages there are no signs by which you can determine the presence of oncology. And in later stages, liver cancer can cause it to swell. When this happens, the following symptoms occur:
- loss of appetite;
- weight loss;
- dark urine color;
- bloating or flatulence;
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes);
- pain in the rightshoulder;
- pain in upper right abdomen;
- nausea;
- sweating and fever;
- bump on the right side of the abdomen, below the chest.
Testing and diagnosis
During a physical examination, a doctor may suspect liver cancer. And if one of the above symptoms did not bother the patient, an additional examination will be required to confirm the diagnosis.
- The level of serum markers in the blood is determined. When disease is present, there may be higher alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels. Liver enzymes are often elevated.
- Abdominal CT scan performed. This is a special type of x-ray that provides visual images of soft tissues, organs in detail.
- Ultrasound of the liver. It is also called echography. Ultrasound transmits high frequency sound waves through the body. These sound waves produce an echo that is then used to create a map, a computerized image of the body's soft tissues.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) creates very clear images of internal organs.
- Laparoscopy. Doctors use a narrow tube (laparoscope) with light and a biopsy. The instrument is inserted through a small incision and the material is taken for examination under a microscope. Laparoscopy is the most reliable minimally invasive method for diagnosing cancer.
On what factors does therapy depend
Fortunately, advances in medical technology offer increasingly effective treatments for liver metastases, andalso gives hope to the sick. Currently, there are several options used to cure metastatic cancer.
Typically, the choice of therapeutic intervention will depend on the patient's age and general he alth, the size, location and number of metastatic tumors, the location of the primary cancer, and the types of neoplasms the patient has in history.
Systemic Therapies
Systemic treatment of liver cancer metastases occurs through the bloodstream. Several methods are used in medicine:
- Chemotherapy: A form of treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells.
- BRM Therapy: A treatment that uses specific antibodies, growth factors, and a vaccine. These supplements are designed to boost or restore the immune system's ability to fight cancer.
- Targeted treatment. Liver metastases are killed with drugs and other substances, such as laboratory-made monoclonal antibodies designed to detect cancer cells. This therapy has fewer side effects than other methods.
- Hormonal therapy. It is used to slow or stop the growth of certain types of tumors.
- Localized treatment. Metastases in the liver are destroyed precisely, only in places of localization. Can be used in the early stages of the disease.
- Radiation therapy. She uses high energy radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.
- Surgical removal. It is possible if there is a small amountmalignant tumors affecting only a small area of the liver.
Metastasis refers to the spread of cancer from the main organ. Treatment of any form depends on the breadth of the spread of bad cells to distant organs. If the cancer spreads to other tissues, it may decrease the patient's survival rate.
Resection and prognosis during its implementation
Statistical data suggests that patients with stomach cancer (liver metastases), whose treatment has been correct and effective, still have a poor prognosis. Unfortunately, the survival rate for such people is the lowest. Less than 20% of patients after treatment have a chance to live for about 3 years.
The clinical efficacy of resection of liver metastases is still not generally accepted. However, non-surgical treatments do not achieve satisfactory results. In patients treated with chemotherapy, the median survival rate ranges from 2.9 to 11.8 months.
Clinicopathological features associated with prognosis of gastric cancer and liver metastases have not been comprehensively reviewed. Nevertheless, their presence in a vital organ is a statistically significant adverse prognostic factor for patients.
After the resection, it is necessary to place the patient under the supervision of doctors, since it is very important to conduct an ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity in order to prevent the accumulation of fluid in the area of the operation. After the patient is discharged from the clinic, he is required to undergo an examination every three months for two years to exclude relapse.
Traditional treatment (liver metastases)
Unconventional methods are also applicable in the treatment of cancer. But all of them are effective only at an early stage of its development.
First of all, you need to eat right. To alleviate the focus of pain, you should stop eating harmful foods. In this way, of course, it is impossible to cure liver metastases. Treatment with folk remedies will only help maintain the general condition and relieve the patient of some symptoms.
To avoid a disease that turns into a chronic stage of development, use the following remedy: weigh 100 g of oats, pour 2500 ml of boiling water over it, add 150 ml of natural liquid honey. The jar must be closed and put in a warm, dark place for a day. After 24 hours have passed, put it in a cold place so that the prepared remedy does not sour. Should be taken twice a day after meals for 6 weeks.
Pay attention! Any unconventional remedy you choose to use will not cure liver metastases. Treatment with folk remedies can not be carried out independently. Check with your doctor first.
What is the survival rate
The life expectancy of a patient suffering from liver metastases obviously depends on when it is diagnosedpathology, as well as on the treatment options that have been undertaken. According to statistical studies, only 10% of the described patients live for 5 years. But with early detection of pathology and timely treatment, a 5-year survival rate is already observed in 40% of patients.
Liver transplant increases the chances of survival by more than 80% and guarantees survival in 75% of cases.
