Can gallbladder stones turn into liver cancer?

Written by Du Ning
Hepatobiliary Surgery
Updated on October 30, 2024
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Long-term pathological changes from hepatobiliary calculi can lead to liver cancer. Hepatobiliary calculi generally refer to intrahepatic bile duct stones. When these stones grow in a single duct and gradually increase in number and size, they can cause obstruction of the bile duct. Obstruction of the bile duct subsequently leads to cholangitis, which involves repeated inflammatory irritation. This, in turn, can cause malignant transformation of the bile duct cells. Following this transformation, a tumor forms, which can develop into cholangiocellular carcinoma, a type of liver cancer. Therefore, if intrahepatic bile duct stones cause long-term inflammatory stimulation, it can lead to cancerous changes and result in liver cancer. Thus, if intrahepatic bile duct stones have already caused noticeable clinical symptoms such as abdominal pain, fever, and liver function abnormalities, aggressive surgical treatment should be considered.

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Written by Yan Chun
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What's going on with the facial swelling in the late stage of liver cancer?

Patients with advanced liver cancer may experience facial swelling, which can be attributed to the following reasons: Firstly, patients with advanced liver cancer often show significant disease progression and may develop complications associated with hepatorenal syndrome. Clinically, this can manifest as reduced urine output, anuria, and even renal impairment, leading to facial swelling. Secondly, in patients with advanced liver cancer, there may be metastasis to cervical lymph nodes. Enlarged lymph nodes can compress or invade surrounding structures, leading to superior vena cava syndrome. Once this syndrome occurs, patients may experience swelling in the face and neck, and some may even face severe breathing difficulties. Lastly, some patients with advanced liver cancer may experience renal damage due to the toxic side effects of antitumor treatments or medications. Clinically, this can lead to increased levels of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine, reduced urine output, and hypoproteinemia, which may also result in facial swelling.

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Written by Ye Xi Yong
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Can hepatitis B turn into liver cancer?

If hepatitis B is not effectively controlled, it can further develop into liver cancer. However, if patients adhere to standard treatment, regular check-ups, rest adequately, eat healthily, and abstain from alcohol, most conditions can be effectively controlled, significantly reducing the likelihood of developing liver cancer. Therefore, patients need not worry too much; maintaining a positive and optimistic attitude is more conducive to the recovery from the disease.

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Can liver cancer be transmitted through sharing bowls and chopsticks?

Clinically, eating with liver cancer patients through shared utensils will not lead to the transmission of liver cancer. This is because the occurrence of liver cancer is due to carcinogenic factors acting on the body over a long period of time, causing abnormal proliferation of cells within the body, thus forming a type of neoplasm. It is fundamentally different from the onset of infectious diseases. However, many cases of liver cancer are caused by liver cirrhosis, which itself is often a result of infections such as hepatitis B virus. On the basis of cirrhosis, it may eventually develop into liver cancer. Hepatitis B virus is contagious, and sharing meals with infected individuals can easily lead to the transmission of the hepatitis B virus. Once infected with the hepatitis B virus, the patient is likely to develop hepatitis B, which in turn can lead to liver cirrhosis. From there, it may eventually progress to liver cancer. Therefore, if there is a family member who has live cancer and tests positive for the hepatitis B virus, it is advisable to use separate dining arrangements to avoid the transmission of the hepatitis B virus, which could ultimately lead to liver cancer.

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Can liver cancer cause back pain?

Liver cancer can potentially cause back pain for several reasons: First, the tumor from liver cancer may directly metastasize to locations such as the lumbar vertebrae, resulting in significant and persistent back pain. Second, liver cancer can metastasize to the kidneys via the bloodstream, which clinically can also manifest as back pain and symptoms of blood in the urine. Third, liver cancer can cause kidney function impairment, which likewise can lead to symptoms of back pain. Fourth, patients with liver cancer may experience back pain due to urinary tract infections, which can appear particularly when the infection is severe and the patient's immune system is compromised.

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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.