The number of oncological diseases is only growing every year. If earlier this was considered an elderly person’s problem, today the disease is very much younger. There are many types of cancer cells, and each of them behaves differently. Therefore, it is so difficult to make a forecast until the doctor has accurate data on hand. Often, a tissue sample for diagnosis can be obtained only during the operation. Today we will talk about metastases in the liver. The prognosis in this case is very cautious, the defeat of the gastrointestinal tract is very serious.
First calls
Usually, by the time a metastasis appears, a person already realizes that he is seriously ill. And often, the conclusion of doctors is already on hand. The liver is a favorite place for germination of cancer cells. The reason for this is excellent blood supply. In order to build a correct prognosis, liver metastases are required to carefully study, find and eliminate the primary focus of cancer, as well as to choose the right treatment with constant monitoring from hematologists and oncologists.
Understanding concepts
Now step back a step. Since not all of our readers are doctors, we need to make out the theory. To begin with, all tumor cells are our own cells that previously performed their natural function. But due to various factors, internal or external, these cells begin to uncontrollably and incorrectly divide. As a result, an incompetent tissue appears that can damage the walls of organs and blood vessels and grow through them. Instead of a functioning organ, we get foci of connective tissue and scars.
The penetration of mutated cells into other organs and tissues is associated with the growth of new foci of cancer. That is, in the primary focus, cells begin to form, which penetrate into neighboring organs, as well as into the bloodstream, from where they spread throughout the body. In fact, the daughter cells of the tumor are metastases in the liver. The prognosis is unfavorable, but while the patient is alive, he will be provided with medical care.
Excursion to physiology
Doctors are often asked what awaits a patient who has metastases in the liver. The life expectancy is of interest to relatives first. To explain the complexity of the situation, doctors often resort to visual aids. This allows you to show how this body works. The liver is the largest filter whose main function is detoxification. This is what causes active blood circulation, during which the liver passes one and a half liters of blood through itself every minute.
Blood enters the organ through the arteries and the portal vein system, and then goes to the inferior vena cava through the central hepatic vein. This creates great opportunities for the penetration of tumor cells into the liver. They settle inside the body and begin to actively develop. Such a scenario suggests that the body already has a malignant formation that actively produces daughter cells. The primary sources may be cancer of the esophagus or colon. But the root cause may even be a tumor localized in the mammary gland.
Cirrhosis and liver cancer
Contrary to popular belief, liver metastases are extremely rare in patients with cirrhosis. The forecast of the life span, however, in this case, too, is not always favorable. With the complete degeneration of liver cells, the organ can no longer be restored. Therefore, even with all the recommendations of the doctor, the life span is usually no longer than 3 years. But the violation of blood supply and blood flow in the organ, due to the replacement of the natural connective tissue, creates unfavorable conditions for metastasis.
Why secondary cancer is harder to treat
This will be confirmed by any practicing oncologist. Why is this happening? The fact is that the oncological focus constantly produces mutated cells that try to penetrate other organs and systems. If everyone succeeded, then a person would die within a few days. And today, with the availability of competent therapy, a person even with the last stage can be maintained for quite some time.
The tumor produces cells every day in huge numbers. But less than 0.05% succeed in becoming a hotbed of new education. However, it is precisely these cells that pose a particular threat. They are practically not treatable. And by the time a new outbreak is discovered, it may be too late to take action, as well as making a forecast.
Metastases in the liver appear very often, this can be compared with their germination in the lymph nodes. Due to the large size of the liver, good blood supply through the hepatic artery and vena cava, and also due to the special structure of the tissue, almost any tumor can launch its metastases into the liver.
What you need to pay attention to
Often diagnosed with cancer of the stomach with metastases in the liver. The prognosis depends on at what stage a lesion of this organ was detected. This is not always easy to do. Metastases can be single or multiple, which determines the early diagnosis and in many ways the symptoms.
If the tumor is single, this does not mean that it is small. Its growth will depend on a number of factors. With rapid progression, it will be well felt. The patient may have complaints about pain in the hypochondrium, since the tumor compresses healthy tissues. If there are multiple metastases, then the symptoms will progress very quickly. Every day delaying treatment will shorten the patient's life.
Jaundice develops, after which almost all the functions of the organ are disrupted. We are talking about detoxification, secretory and accumulative, as well as metabolism in general. Growing tumor nodes lack blood supply, they die and burst. A powerful release of toxins occurs that the affected liver cannot block. In addition, compression of the vena cava is observed, which causes the legs to swell.
Diagnostics
Today in Russia it is not customary to inform the patient that he is terminally ill. Usually, the results of the examination are reported to relatives, leaving the conversation with the patient at their discretion. With liver metastases, the prognosis of life is rather cautious. He will not be able to cure the patient, but with a favorable course of the disease and good treatment, he can live for several more years.
Liver metastases are very difficult to diagnose. But medicine does not stand still. Today, there are many methods that allow you to diagnose and in some cases determine even in the early stages of liver metastases. The prognosis of life on the basis of the survey can be made quite accurately. Oncological surgeons widely use:
- Definition of tumor markers.
- Ultrasound tomography.
- X-ray tomography.
- Magnetic resonance imaging.
- Tumor biopsy. Tissue samples are taken during surgery.
Based on the survey, the presence of liver metastases can be determined. Reviews of the prognosis of patients' lives suggest that it is not always accurate. Surgery to remove the tumor can be very successful. But if metastases have already formed in the body, then the improvement will be temporary. Soon, young formations will gain strength, which will affect the patient’s well-being not in the best way.
How can liver cancer be suspected
The prognosis for liver cancer with metastases usually gives the patient from 3 to 10 years. But the numbers are very approximate. Sometimes metastases grow slowly, perhaps they are held back by the body's immune cells. And in another case, they grow instantly, and a person burns out literally in a matter of months. Oncologists can not always answer the question of why this happens. But usually the older the patient, the slower the growth of the tumor and metastasis. But in young people and children, all these processes proceed much faster. That is why the death rate of children is so great. Tumors are developing so rapidly that at the time of detection they are already putting on stage 3 or 4, which are practically incurable.
To detect liver metastases, you need to pay attention to the following signs:
- Fatigue and weakness.
- An increase in the size of the liver. The fact is that liver cancer alone is quite rare. Therefore, the increased size of this organ in a patient registered with the oncology dispensary suggests that the formation of malignant tumors in the body continues.
- Cholestasis syndrome. It manifests itself in the form of skin itching, yellowness of the skin and mucous membranes. In addition, nausea and vomiting, discoloration of feces and darkening of urine are detected.
- Dilation of saphenous veins on the abdomen.
- Weight loss and severe exhaustion.
- A sharp increase in body temperature and heart rate.
- Functional bowel disorders. This is flatulence, accompanied by severe pain, constipation.
Very often, the symptom is pain. With liver metastases, compression of the inferior vena cava or portal vein occurs. The pain can be masked, and without an experienced doctor to find its true cause will be very difficult. For example, a patient may complain of chest pain while breathing. Therefore, the cause will be sought in the respiratory system, losing a lot of time.
The duration of the diagnostic process
Many people who have lost their loved ones still have negative feelings about doctors. If they were in a hurry with the diagnosis, hadn’t been driven for so long by the analysis, then treatment would probably be more productive. Often this thought is spelled out in pain-filled reviews. The prognosis of life expectancy for liver metastases initially prepares you to think that you will soon be parting with a loved one. Unfortunately, this is inevitable. The question is only how soon this will happen. Only the attending physician will answer this question after a detailed examination of the medical record, medical history and history.
Treatment methods
A lot will depend on the choice made. Therefore, in difficult cases, a consultation is convened, and a group of doctors considers treatment options, choosing the most effective. The method depends on the type of primary tumor, the severity of organ dysfunction, the number of foci. Based on this, one of the following methods is selected:
- Radiation therapy. Typically, this method is used before surgery to reduce their size and activity before surgery. This is an excellent prevention of liver metastases. Reviews and forecasts about the method as a whole are good, but we must not forget that everything is individual.
- Chemotherapy. It allows you to control postoperative remission. In combination with other methods, it reduces the severity of pain.
- Surgical treatment. This is the most frequent choice of doctors. If it is possible to remove part of the liver, leaving a healthy tissue, then this method is the best of all. Unfortunately, you can not always apply it.
ethnoscience
The prognosis for colorectal cancer is considered the most unfavorable. Liver metastases in this case usually indicate tumor invasion. Even the operation to remove the rectum to the outside with the removal of the rest of the intestine at this stage is not always effective. Nevertheless, supportive treatment can help extend life to 1-3 years.
Traditional medicine is not able to cure cancer, but can support the body. Typically, herbs such as chamomile, motherwort, and dandelion are used for this. They help ease digestion and reduce painful cramps. In addition, medicinal herbs such as hemlock and aconite are used. They are poisonous, and with an overdose, taking can result in serious consequences. Of course, you should definitely follow a strict diet.