Can early-stage liver cancer be cured by resection?

Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
Updated on January 25, 2025
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Liver cancer is one of the common malignant tumors of the digestive system. For patients with early-stage liver cancer, clinical cure is possible after curative surgery. This clinical cure refers to instances where liver cancer patients, after undergoing curative surgery, do not show signs of recurrence or metastasis over a period exceeding five years. This means there is no invasion of surrounding tissues and no metastasis to distant organs – effectively, the patients have achieved clinical cure. Patients' survival time exceeds five years, or even longer. Therefore, for patients with early-stage liver cancer, because their lesions are relatively limited, achieving clinical cure is possible following curative surgery. However, as the disease progresses to the mid and late stages, even with aggressive surgery and postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy, most patients cannot achieve clinical cure.

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Written by Sun Wei
Surgical Oncology
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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 Sun Wei
Surgical Oncology
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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.

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Written by Ye Xi Yong
Infectious Diseases
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Will having hepatitis B antibodies lead to liver cancer?

Firstly, there is no necessary connection between liver cancer and antibodies, but if a patient has hepatitis B antibodies, then the chance of this patient contracting hepatitis B is very small. Relatively speaking, since hepatitis B can develop into liver cancer, having positive hepatitis B antibodies might reduce the chance of developing liver cancer. However, there are many types of liver cancer, and its causes are varied, including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and other factors.

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Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
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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.

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Written by Sun Ming Yue
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How to alleviate tinnitus caused by liver cancer?

Patients with advanced liver cancer may experience symptoms of tinnitus, which is caused by the liver cancer. It is suggested to complement with some traditional Chinese medicine to effectively alleviate this. If the tumor has already spread or metastasized, it indicates an advanced stage. It is urgent to treat the condition to control its progress, alleviate the patient's suffering, and prolong life. Currently, a more effective method for treating liver cancer is biological therapy. It is recommended to go to a regular hospital for a detailed examination and to follow the doctor’s treatment plan.