Liver cancer. Symptoms, clinic, treatment.

Malignant liver damage is primary and secondary. Primary liver cancer occurs in the cells of the liver structures, while secondary is called sprouting in the hepatic tissue of secondary metastatic nodes from tumor cells, entered into the liver through the bloodstream from other internal organs.

Liver cancer. Statistics.

Since a huge flow of blood passes through the liver, the secondary tumors of this organ are registered 20 times more often than the primary ones. The disease is relatively rare - according to statistics, 0.5 to 3% of all cases occur in primary cancer. Symptoms and the clinic of this disease may initially not be very pronounced, which greatly complicates the subsequent diagnosis of the tumor. Among patients with liver cancer, more prevalent in men aged 50 years. It is worth noting that early detection of any disease (including cancer) significantly increases the chances of a positive dynamics of subsequent treatment.

Liver cancer. Classification.

To date, it is customary to classify several forms of this disease, different in origin:

• Hepatocellular carcinoma, hepatoma, or hepatocellular carcinoma - comes from the parenchyma cells.
• Cholangiocarcinoma - the most common cancer of the liver, comes from the epithelial cells of the bile ducts.
• Angiosarcoma - the most malignant tumor, sprouts from the endothelium of the vessels.
• Hepatoblastoma is a malignant liver tumor in children.

Liver cancer. Causes of occurrence.

• Viral hepatitis B and C.
• Cirrhosis of the liver.
• Syphilis.
• Chronic alcoholism.
• Hemochromatosis.
• Parasitic diseases.
• Carcinogens (chlorinated hydrocarbon solvents, nitrosamines, polychlorinated biphenyls and other harmful compounds).

Liver cancer. Symptoms and clinic.

At a time when liver cancer is only beginning to develop, the symptoms and clinical picture of the disease can be slightly erased. Thus, patients in the early stages may experience weakness, general malaise, dyspeptic disorders, heaviness in the right hypochondrium, an increase in temperature. Often there is weight loss, anemia, dull aching pain especially at night. With the development of the disease, the patient can increase the liver, sometimes it becomes tuberous and denser, jaundice gradually builds up. A tumor can be detected by probing the organ.

Liver cancer. Diagnostics.

To suspect a patient of liver cancer, the symptoms and complaints of the patient are analyzed, its appearance is assessed and a decision is made about further examination. Research:

• Ultrasound examination of the liver (ultrasound) plays an important role in the diagnosis of cancer. This method is quite informative and widely available, it allows to identify the nodal formations and determine their nature.
• X-ray computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used if the diagnosis is not determined or is not specified.
• Radioisotope scanning also makes it possible to obtain additional data on a cancerous tumor.
• Laparoscopy allows you to examine the affected organ through a small incision in the abdominal cavity.
• Biopsy - taking part of the tumor for analysis.
• A biochemical blood test may indicate a cancerous liver injury (reduced protein, increased bilirubin, increased levels of liver enzymes).
• The analysis of blood on onkomarkery (increase of their level in the blood speaks about the presence of this or that tumor).

Liver cancer. Treatment of the disease.

After liver cancer is detected, the symptoms and the clinic are confirmed laboratory and radiologically, an adequate treatment is appointed, which can significantly improve the patient's quality of life. In the treatment of tumors, including liver cancer stage 4, the following treatment methods are used:

• surgery;
• Radiosurgery;
• cryosurgery;
• radiation therapy;
• chemotherapy;
• Biological therapy.

If a malignant tumor is detected or if it is suspected, it must be remembered that timely treatment can significantly prolong the life of the patient and improve its quality.