Why can't people with liver cancer drink milk?

Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
Updated on December 03, 2024
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Liver cancer patients are generally advised not to drink milk, particularly in cases of advanced liver cancer where there is a potential for hepatic encephalopathy. This is because, for patients in the late stages of liver cancer, liver function is compromised, and some may already exhibit symptoms indicative of pre-hepatic encephalopathy. Consuming a diet rich in protein can easily trigger hepatic encephalopathy, and since milk is high in protein, its consumption is usually limited or avoided in such patients. However, for the majority of liver cancer patients, drinking milk is permissible as it not only contains abundant protein but also rich calcium, which is beneficial for the recovery of liver cancer patients. Most liver cancer patients have hypoalbuminemia (low levels of protein in the blood) and some also have hypocalcemia (low levels of calcium in the blood), thus the intake of calcium and protein-rich foods can be very beneficial for their recovery.

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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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How to rule out liver cancer when experiencing right shoulder pain?

Some liver cancer patients may experience abdominal pain that radiates to the shoulder and back, resulting in right shoulder pain. Therefore, when a patient presents with right shoulder pain, to rule out the possibility of liver cancer, some laboratory tests or radiological examinations can be conducted, and if necessary, histopathological examinations can also be performed. If hematological examination does not show an abnormal increase in AFP levels, and radiological examinations do not reveal any abnormal liver conditions such as large masses, nodular tumors, or diffuse liver lesions, and there is no history of hepatitis or cirrhosis, it is generally possible to rule out right shoulder pain caused by liver cancer. To determine the exact cause of the pain, examinations such as X-rays of the right shoulder, CT scans, and if necessary, MRI or bone scans can be conducted to exclude right shoulder pain caused by liver cancer lesions.

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What should I do if I have liver cancer and a fever of 38 degrees Celsius?

Liver cancer patients experiencing a fever of 38°C can be seen in the following scenarios: The first type is tumor-related fever. In liver cancer patients, especially those in the advanced stages or with large tumors, a fever of around 38°C can occur in the absence of infection symptoms. This tumor fever is related to various mediators released into the blood by the tumor. The second type is infectious fever. Cancer patients undergoing anti-tumor treatment may experience immunosuppression and concurrent infections. This type of fever often exceeds 38.5°C but can also occur around 38°C in the early stages, often accompanied by symptoms of infection such as coughing, sputum production, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. The third type is treatment-related fever. Patients with liver cancer may experience a fever of around 38°C on the day of and several days following interventional treatments.

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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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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.