How to protect the liver in the late stages of liver cancer

Written by Sun Ming Yue

Medical Oncology

Updated on March 19, 2025

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If liver cancer has reached an advanced stage, this indicates that the patient's condition is very serious, and there is no possibility of cure. It is recommended that the patient take some Chinese herbal medicines for liver protection and maintenance. However, the patient must regulate their condition and control the development of the disease through medication under the guidance of a doctor, in order to prolong their life. However, the specific treatment plan should be determined based on the specific condition of each patient, following the guidance of the doctor for treatment.

Other Voices

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Written by Sun Wei

Surgical Oncology

43sec

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Can primary liver cancer patients eat eggs?

Patients with primary liver cancer can also eat eggs, as there are no specific prohibitions against it. Eggs are a high-protein food. While many people worry that eating eggs might increase the burden on the liver, there is actually no need for concern. If a patient has a good appetite and can eat well, consuming some eggs to increase protein intake can help enhance body resistance and support antitumor treatment. In addition to eggs, liver cancer patients should also consume other high-quality proteins such as fish and protein powder. These are all beneficial. Of course, the choice should also be based on the patient's own preferences. Additionally, it is advisable to drink plenty of water and eat fresh vegetables and fruits.

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Written by Sun Wei

Surgical Oncology

48sec

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Which is more treatable, primary liver cancer or metastatic liver cancer?

Primary liver cancer refers to malignant tumors that originate in the liver, while metastatic liver cancer refers to malignant tumors from other parts of the body that have spread to the liver. As to which is easier to treat, it is generally difficult to determine and depends on the control of the primary lesion in cases of metastatic liver cancer; both might be challenging to treat. However, if the lesion in primary liver cancer is relatively small, there may still be an opportunity for surgical treatment. In general, metastatic liver cancer is not amenable to curative surgery because the primary lesion also requires treatment. But in terms of the rate of progression or severity, metastatic liver cancer might progress more slowly, while primary liver cancer generally progresses quite rapidly, making it also very difficult to treat.

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Written by Zhang Lu

Obstetrics

1min 1sec

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Can alpha-fetoprotein diagnose liver cancer?

Alpha-fetoprotein, also known as AFP, reflects the function of the liver and whether there are any diseases present. The accuracy and specificity of alpha-fetoprotein in diagnosing liver cancer are relatively high. In non-pregnant individuals, whether male or female, an elevated alpha-fetoprotein level should raise suspicions of liver disease, and it is advisable to promptly undergo ultrasound or CT scans to determine the presence of liver cancer or other liver diseases. However, during pregnancy, as the fetus grows and develops, a certain amount of alpha-fetoprotein is released. Therefore, when testing the blood of pregnant women, an increase in alpha-fetoprotein is observed. This condition is a physiological change and does not indicate the occurrence of liver diseases such as liver cancer in women. Thus, alpha-fetoprotein can serve as an auxiliary method for diagnosing liver cancer, but only in non-pregnant individuals.

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Written by Sun Wei

Surgical Oncology

49sec

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Can primary liver cancer be treated?

Primary liver cancer is also treatable. Generally, if the primary liver cancer is small and has not widely metastasized, surgical resection can be considered, mainly involving hepatectomy and lymph node dissection. Postoperative comprehensive treatment including chemotherapy and radiotherapy is also applied. For primary liver cancer, interventional chemotherapy, as well as methods like cryotherapy, microwave, and ablation can be considered to control the progression of the disease. Additionally, oral targeted therapy such as sorafenib can be used. If primary liver cancer is widely metastasized at the time of detection, there generally aren’t very effective treatment options, and the average survival period might be around six months, with poor treatment outcomes.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai

Hepatobiliary Surgery

53sec

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Can liver calcifications be liver cancer?

Calcification in the liver is not liver cancer. For internal liver calcifications, it is described in ultrasonography and CT scans as a benign lesion, not as liver cancer. Liver cancer is a malignant tumor that can be life-threatening, thus it is considered a serious condition. When calcification is present, it is not indicative of liver cancer, but regular follow-up ultrasounds are still needed to monitor changes in size dynamically. If the calcification increases significantly in size over a short period and grows rapidly, malignant transformation should be suspected, and surgery should be conducted as soon as possible to improve the prognosis for the patient. Additionally, for liver cancer patients, it is advisable to avoid spicy and irritating foods to reduce inflammatory stimulation, which is more conducive to the recovery of the condition.