What should someone with advanced liver cancer eat if they have no appetite?

Written by Zhang Yan Kai

Family Medicine

Updated on January 31, 2025

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In the late stages of liver cancer, loss of appetite may be related to gastrointestinal dysfunction caused by widespread metastasis of cancer cells. If loss of appetite occurs, it is first recommended to try eating orally as much as possible, and consuming rice porridge or noodle soup to increase nutrition. If there is still no appetite, nutritional support can be provided through parenteral nutrition, such as using nutritional elements and substances for intravenous treatment. If the results are not satisfactory, medication can be administered through a central venous catheter for better outcomes.

Other Voices

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Written by Yan Chun

Oncology

1min 13sec

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Does early-stage liver cancer metastasize?

Patients with early-stage liver cancer generally do not experience metastasis. This is because for patients with early-stage liver cancer, the lesions are localized and have not spread, thus being classified as early-stage. Moreover, the general treatment for patients with early-stage liver cancer involves curative surgery. Since the lesions are localized, in most cases, there will be no recurrence or metastasis after the surgery. Therefore, for early-stage patients, there is no need to administer adjuvant radiotherapy or adjuvant chemotherapy and other anti-tumor treatments after the surgery. However, once the liver cancer lesions invade surrounding tissues and metastasize to distant sites, it indicates that the lesions have spread, and the clinical stage has progressed to mid or late stages, losing the opportunity for curative surgery. Most patients undergo comprehensive treatments such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy which generally results in a reduction in survival time.

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Written by Sun Wei

Surgical Oncology

51sec

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What can people with primary liver cancer eat?

Primary liver cancer, commonly referred to as liver cancer, is a type of malignant tumor of the digestive system. As for diet, there are generally no specific prohibitions. However, it is recommended to stick to a light and easily digestible diet. High-protein foods and high-quality proteins, such as fish, eggs, and protein powder, are very good options. It is best to avoid spicy, pickled, smoked, or grilled foods, as these are not conducive to health. Also, any food that is clearly moldy should definitely be avoided. The main causes of primary liver cancer include infection with aflatoxin and contaminated drinking water, which are two main causes of primary liver cancer. Other causes, like hepatitis virus infections, are also major contributors to primary liver cancer.

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Written by Yan Chun

Oncology

1min 8sec

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Does early-stage liver cancer cause the complexion to become dark?

Patients with early-stage liver cancer do not experience darkening of the facial complexion. This is because early-stage liver cancer primarily refers to carcinoma in situ of the liver and some small liver cancers. Since the tumors are small and the affected area is limited, they generally cause few symptoms clinically. Some patients may experience mild fatigue and a decrease in appetite, but these do not lead to changes in the complexion. Only when the liver cancer progresses to the middle or late stages, causing damage to liver cell functions or when the pathology metastasizes, leading to damage to multiple organ functions, can there be some changes in facial complexion. For example, patients may exhibit pale complexions due to moderate to severe anemia. Some patients may have yellowing of the skin due to obstructive jaundice or hepatocellular jaundice. Additionally, some patients may show darkening of the facial complexion due to abnormal hormone secretion.

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Written by Cui Fang Bo

Oncology

43sec

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Is the alpha-fetoprotein high in the early stage of liver cancer?

Patients with liver cancer may not necessarily have elevated carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels in the early stages. CEA, a commonly used tumor marker, tends to increase in various types of malignancies. However, an elevation in CEA is not necessarily linked to the occurrence of malignant tumors. Many patients with early-stage tumors, including liver cancer, may not have elevated CEA levels at diagnosis. Conversely, elevated CEA levels in some patients may be due to benign conditions and not necessarily indicate malignancy. Therefore, it is unreasonable to determine the presence of liver cancer solely based on the elevation of CEA.

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Written by Sun Wei

Surgical Oncology

38sec

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Is primary liver cancer hereditary?

Primary liver cancer. It is not certain to be hereditary, but there is a certain possibility of heredity. In clinical observations, primary liver cancer often presents familial or regional clustering, which is mainly attributed to common dietary habits, lifestyle habits, and environmental factors. Genetics also play a certain role, but it does not mean that the disease will definitely be inherited. Therefore, if parents or other relatives have a history of this type of liver cancer or other malignant tumors, it is crucial to raise awareness and undergo regular health check-ups. Early detection and treatment can lead to better outcomes.