Will people with early-stage liver cancer experience weight loss?

Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
Updated on November 16, 2024
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Patients with early-stage liver cancer generally do not experience weight loss; weight loss is more commonly a clinical manifestation in patients with late-stage liver cancer. The reason for weight loss in liver cancer patients is due to the damage caused by cancerous tissue to liver function, leading to reduced synthesis of albumin. Furthermore, patients with liver cancer often experience a significant decrease in food intake, resulting in insufficient intake of nutrients such as albumin. Additionally, the progression of liver cancer tumors requires the consumption of a large amount of the body's albumin. Therefore, due to these factors, many patients with late-stage liver cancer exhibit clinical manifestations of weight loss. Moreover, besides not experiencing weight loss, patients with early-stage liver cancer also do not typically present with typical clinical symptoms. Many patients are asymptomatic, and as the lesion progresses, the cancer spreads, possibly leading to clinical manifestations associated with tumor spread. For example, pain in the liver area, a significant decrease in food intake, fatigue, fever, pain, and some patients may also exhibit symptoms of metastasis such as headaches, vomiting, abdominal pain, and abdominal distension.

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Will people with early-stage liver cancer experience weight loss?

Patients with early-stage liver cancer generally do not experience weight loss; weight loss is more commonly a clinical manifestation in patients with late-stage liver cancer. The reason for weight loss in liver cancer patients is due to the damage caused by cancerous tissue to liver function, leading to reduced synthesis of albumin. Furthermore, patients with liver cancer often experience a significant decrease in food intake, resulting in insufficient intake of nutrients such as albumin. Additionally, the progression of liver cancer tumors requires the consumption of a large amount of the body's albumin. Therefore, due to these factors, many patients with late-stage liver cancer exhibit clinical manifestations of weight loss. Moreover, besides not experiencing weight loss, patients with early-stage liver cancer also do not typically present with typical clinical symptoms. Many patients are asymptomatic, and as the lesion progresses, the cancer spreads, possibly leading to clinical manifestations associated with tumor spread. For example, pain in the liver area, a significant decrease in food intake, fatigue, fever, pain, and some patients may also exhibit symptoms of metastasis such as headaches, vomiting, abdominal pain, and abdominal distension.

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Hepatitis B can gradually develop into cirrhosis or liver cancer. Therefore, if a hepatitis B virus infection is detected, it needs attention. If the hepatitis B surface antigen is positive in the HBV "two-and-a-half" test, it indicates a hepatitis B virus infection. Once infected with the hepatitis B virus, it is necessary to regularly check liver function and hepatitis B virus DNA, as well as have abdominal ultrasounds. If an increase in transaminases is found, it indicates the transformation into chronic hepatitis B, necessitating liver-protecting and enzyme-lowering treatments. If the hepatitis B virus DNA exceeds a certain value, antiviral treatment is also needed. After being infected with the hepatitis B virus, it is crucial to rest and avoid excessive fatigue and staying up late.

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