Primary liver cancer is the most treatable stage of liver cancer. More commonly, this cancer starts in the liver and bile duct. On the other hand, secondary liver cancer is when cancer in other body parts spreads to the liver. Early diagnosis of any disease can bring the best possible treatment outcomes. Routine screening can be of importance for people at a high risk of liver cancer. Consult the most trusted cancer surgeon in Siliguri for high-end liver cancer treatment.
Liver Cancer - Understanding the Symptoms
Though the symptoms of liver cancer in the early stage are hard to detect, common signs and symptoms include:
- Upper abdominal pain
- Weight loss without trying
- Loss of appetite
- Unexplained fatigue
- General weakness
- White-coloured (chalky) stools
- Swelling in the abdomen
- Jaundice
If you notice any of these symptoms, talk to a doctor (general physician) early on. These signs are the symptoms of many health conditions. Hence, without medical supervision (clinical diagnosis), it is not possible to detect the exact condition and start the treatment. Spek with the top oncologists in Siliguri for comprehensive liver cancer treatment.
Factors like - chronic infections like HIV, Hepatitis C virus, too much alcohol consumption, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, scar tissue in the liver, and uncontrolled diabetes - can put you at risk of liver disease.
Liver Cancer - Diagnosis, Treatment and Survival
Let’s understand the tests and diagnostic procedures for liver cancer.
- Blood tests to check the abnormalities of liver function
- Ultrasound, high-resolution CT scan, and MRI
- A liver biopsy to detect if it’s a cancerous or malignant tumor
- Laparoscopy to rule out how severe the liver scarring is
Further tests for liver cancer may include a bone scan and chest X-ray.
What might help in the early detection of liver cancer?
- Awareness of symptoms
- Routine screening for people with liver cancer risks
- Consulting a doctor for people with liver cancer risk factors
Surgical removal of early-stage cancerous tumours in the liver has the highest chances of long-term survival. Unfortunately, most liver cancers are beyond surgery when diagnosed. This happens when cancer is too advanced, or the liver damage is too severe to undergo surgery.
Other treatment options include:
- Liver transplant surgery
- Radiofrequency ablation (electric current) to heat and kill cancer cells.
- Cryoablation (extreme cold) to kill cancer cells.
- Radiation therapy (high-powered energy beams) to kill malignant tumors.
- Chemo (powerful drugs/meds) to kill/destroy malignant cells.
Other cancer therapies include targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and palliative (supportive care). Seek medical attention from the best cancer surgeon in Siliguri for liver cancer. Early diagnosis of liver cancer can enhance survival rates and a better quality of life after treatment.