Subscribe
Liver cancer
Is primary liver cancer prone to metastasis?
Primary liver cancer's likelihood of metastasis depends on its pathological staging. If detected in the middle or late stages, it is more likely to metastasize. The most common sites of metastasis for primary liver cancer include intrahepatic and nearby digestive organs, such as the gastrointestinal tract and the peritoneum. Additionally, primary liver cancer can also spread through the bloodstream and the lymphatic system, reaching distant locations like the lungs, brain, and bones. If primary liver cancer cannot be surgically treated, the treatment options are limited, and the survival time is generally short, with an average lifespan of about one to two years.
What are the early symptoms of liver cancer?
The early symptoms of liver cancer lack specificity, so in clinical practice, early-stage liver cancer is generally detected only during routine screenings or physical examinations. By the time patients present with noticeable symptoms and seek medical attention, the cancer is often in the intermediate or advanced stages, making surgical removal unlikely for most patients. The early symptoms might include non-specific signs such as fatigue. It is usually only in the intermediate or advanced stages that patients experience obvious symptoms like pain in the liver area, palpable abdominal masses, abdominal distension, weight loss, and jaundice. By the time these symptoms appear, it is typically quite late, corresponding to the intermediate or advanced stages of the disease. Early stages typically do not show specific symptoms, though some patients might experience mild abdominal pain, bloating, or fatigue, which are not very specific signs.
Will Hepatitis B with e-antigen positive develop into liver cancer?
A small portion of patients with hepatitis B major yang can develop into liver cancer, but this development process is generally long. Primary liver cancer is currently the fourth most common malignant tumor in China, and the third leading cause of tumor death, seriously threatening the lives and health of our people. Primary liver cancer includes three types, of which hepatocellular carcinoma accounts for more than 85% to 90%. A large part of patients with primary liver cancer in China, most of whom have a background of chronic hepatitis B and cirrhosis.
Can hepatitis B develop into liver cancer?
Hepatitis B, also known as Type B Hepatitis, can develop into liver cancer. In China, most liver cancer patients are caused by Hepatitis B. To prevent Hepatitis B from developing into liver cancer, the key is to seek early, timely, and standardized treatment. For specific treatment guidelines and treatment plans, consult a qualified hospital.
Is primary liver cancer contagious?
Primary liver cancer refers to malignant tumors that occur in the liver and are not metastasized from other parts of the body. Such liver cancer itself is not contagious. However, if liver cancer patients have other infectious diseases, transmission may be possible. Most primary liver cancers are related to liver cirrhosis following hepatitis, with hepatitis B being the most common. If accompanied by hepatitis B, it can be contagious, but it usually doesn't spread through regular daily contact. The main transmission routes for hepatitis B are through blood, mother-to-child transmission, and sexual transmission. This means that as long as the patient's blood does not injure someone else, contagion is generally unlikely, so there is no need for excessive worry.
Will Hepatitis B "big three yang" turn into liver cancer?
Patients with severe hepatitis B, if not treated in time or improperly or for an inadequate duration, may progress to develop liver cirrhosis. A portion of those with cirrhosis might then develop liver cancer. Therefore, patients with severe hepatitis B could potentially develop liver cancer if left untreated or not properly treated. Therefore, once diagnosed with hepatitis B, particularly severe forms, prompt and standardized treatment should be sought to achieve an antiviral response against hepatitis B and prevent the occurrence of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.
The difference between primary liver cancer and secondary liver cancer.
Primary liver cancer generally refers to tumors whose cancer cells originate from the liver itself or from the intrahepatic bile ducts. Secondary liver cancer usually refers to cancer that has metastasized to the liver from other parts of the body, which is the main difference between the two. Additionally, primary liver cancer might progress rapidly, potentially resulting in a short survival time, especially in cases of large, inoperable tumors, where most survival times range from half a year to about a year. In contrast, secondary liver cancer might have a longer survival time, and initial symptoms are generally milder. Also, tumor markers like alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) tend to be higher in primary liver cancer, whereas in secondary liver cancer, this marker may be normal.
How is liver cancer diagnosed?
In clinical practice, if a patient has a history of chronic hepatitis B and imaging tests, such as an enhanced CT or MRI of the liver, suggest a radiological appearance of liver cancer, combined with an AFP level greater than 400 persisting for four weeks, these conditions can support a clinical diagnosis of liver cancer. However, for a confirmed diagnosis, a liver biopsy guided by ultrasound or CT must be performed. The definitive diagnosis of liver cancer relies on identifying cancer cells through pathological examination.
What to do if vomiting occurs in liver cancer?
Liver cancer is divided into two main pathological types, the first being hepatocellular carcinoma, which is the most common, and the other being cholangiocellular carcinoma. Clinically, vomiting is also a common symptom of liver cancer. For symptomatic treatment, we can provide gastric protection and administer antiemetic drugs such as stomach comfort, but these are only symptomatic treatments and do not cure the root cause. The key is still to treat the liver cancer itself, as the symptoms will only alleviate once the cancer is under control. For advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, targeted therapies like sorafenib are available. If it is cholangiocellular carcinoma, and symptoms like vomiting and jaundice appear, which may be obstructive symptoms, then a surgical procedure in hepato-biliary surgery to drain the bile can be performed, which can also alleviate the symptoms of vomiting. (Medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)
The difference between primary liver cancer and secondary liver cancer
Primary liver cancer, also commonly referred to as liver cancer, originates in the liver itself and is not transferred from other parts of the body. Secondary liver cancer occurs when the primary tumor originates in another location and then metastasizes to the liver, causing hepatic space-occupying lesions; this is referred to as secondary liver cancer. The main difference between the two types is their origin. Additionally, primary liver cancer is often solitary but may develop intrahepatic or distant metastases as the disease progresses. In cases of secondary liver cancer, multiple intrahepatic metastatic lesions may be discovered at the onset. Moreover, primary liver cancer may often display an elevated alpha-fetoprotein tumor marker, whereas this marker might be normal in secondary liver cancer.