Metastasis of the liver is a kind of cancer that doesn't come from the liver. Secondary liver cancer or liver metastasis occurs when cancerous cells spread to the largest internal organ. Find out the signs and symptoms of liver metastasis and how an experienced liver cancer specialist can assist you with treatment.
The liver, which is the largest internal organ, is crucial to the health and well-being of your body. Even though it can regenerate itself, the liver's health cannot be ignored. Without a functioning liver, it is impossible to live. Did you know that liver cancer is one of the world's most deadly diseases? Indeed, even in our country, we are seeing developing setbacks connected with liver disease. Children with Cancer
Late onset of symptoms is a problem with liver cancer and other gastrointestinal cancers. If you don't go to your gastroenterologist on a regular basis, cancer can spread to other organs and, in extreme cases, kill you. Such a cancer is called metastatic liver cancer.
Metastatic liver cancer does not originate in the organ like primary liver cancers like hepatocellular carcinoma or hepatoblastoma do. This indicates that the cancer cells originated outside of the liver but metastasized to the liver as a result of inadequate medical care and treatment. Specialists who treat liver cancer refer to it as "secondary liver cancer," "liver metastases," and "stage IV or advanced cancer" for the same reason.
70% of colon and rectal cancers frequently spread to the liver. The portal vein is one of the primary causes of the metastasis. It links the liver's blood supply to the intestines. Cancers such as breast cancer, esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, pancreatic cancer, skin cancer, and others can result in liver metastasis.
Are there any signs that secondary liver cancer is present?
It is challenging to look for symptoms in the early stages of liver metastasis due to the fact that liver metastasis does not begin in liver cells. However, you may experience the following symptoms if your cancer metastasizes to the liver:
Abdominal discomfort, pain in the upper right abdomen, bloating, itching, weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite, unintentional weight loss, jaundice, enlarged liver, nausea, vomiting, and fever, edema, or swelling of the legs, and dark-colored urine are all symptoms of liver cancer. If you notice any of these symptoms, as well as persistent vomiting, blood in the stools or vomit, swelling of the legs or the upper right abdomen, or jaundice, you should see Patients with a history of GI cancer must take it.
How will the Liver Cancer Surgeon determine whether the liver has metastasized?
You should go to a surgical gastroenterologist/liver cancer specialist for routine checkups if you have a history of GI cancer or notice symptoms of it frequently. If the doctor notices liver enlargement, he may think you have a liver metastasis and order the following tests to confirm the diagnosis:
a. Liver function tests are useful in determining how well your liver is working. The doctor will determine whether the cancer is primary or secondary liver cancer using alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels.
b. The liver cancer specialist will be able to identify cancerous cells with the assistance of images from an abdominal CT scan.
c. High-frequency sound waves are used in a liver ultrasound examination to gain a thorough understanding of the liver's tissues.
d. Utilizing radio waves and a magnet, an MRI (Magnetic Reasoning Imaging) produces clear images of the liver.
e. An angiogram can also be used by a liver cancer doctor to learn more about the organ's soft tissues. He may even employ laparoscopy as a diagnostic procedure to confirm the existence of liver metastasis.
What kind of treatment is available for liver metastasis?
Because curative surgeries are rarely possible, doctors refer to the condition as Type IV cancer. However, a curative liver resection procedure may be beneficial to the patient in certain instances of secondary liver cancer brought on by colorectal, neuroendocrine, or other types of cancer.
Additionally, the liver cancer surgeon may suggest palliative procedures and treatments to manage symptoms and assist patients in maintaining optimal health. Before offering surgical options, the doctor will take into account the following:
1. The patient's health and age The patient's medical history The metastatic tumor's size is 4. The spread of the primary cancer Chemotherapy and targeted therapy may be options for slowing the cancerous tumor's growth. Radiofrequency ablation is another treatment option that uses heat to kill liver cancer cells.
The most important thing is to get checked out on a regular basis. Once cancer has spread to an organ, there is often no cure. Your life expectancy can be increased and palliative treatments can be provided by doctors. However, timely treatment is the best way to prevent secondary liver cancer or any other GI cancer. We can ensure a long and healthy life for ourselves if we can prevent cancer from spreading in the first place.
Therefore, regular medical examinations are the key to good health. Find out how to prevent secondary liver cancer and maintain healthy liver function by consulting your surgical gastroenterologist. Live a healthy life, avoid alcohol, and eat a well-balanced diet to prevent liver problems.