YES! Beat Liver Tumors
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When cancer has spread to the liver from other cancers it is called liver metastases. This means that cancerous tumors have spread to the liver from somewhere else in the body. Some of these cancer types or other areas of the body may include:
Breast cancer
Carcinoid/Neuroendocrine cancer
Cervical cancer
Colorectal cancer
Esophageal cancer
GIST
Kidney cancer
Lung cancer
Melanomas
Pancreatic cancer
Urothelial cancer
The risk of cancer spreading to the liver depends on the site of the original cancer. Liver metastasis may be present when the original (primary) cancer is diagnosed, or it may occur months or even years after the primary tumor is removed.
In many cases, there are no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they may include loss of appetite, confusion, fevers, jaundice, nausea, pain in the upper right part of the abdomen or referred pain to the shoulder blade, sweats, and weight loss. A number of different tests may be necessary for the diagnosis of liver metastases. Some of these tests may be a CT scan of the abdomen, liver function tests, MRI of the abdomen, PET scan, or ultrasound of the liver.
Treatment for liver tumors that have spread from other cancers depends on a number of factors such as the primary cancer site, the number of tumors in your liver, the size of the tumors, location of tumors within the liver, whether or not the cancer has spread to other organs besides your liver, and your overall health. When deciding on treatment, it is important to have a multidisciplinary team evaluate your condition and provide input. A number of treatment options exist and it is crucial to develop an algorithim of treatment as you beat liver tumors. You will want a surgeon to evaluate the possibility of a liver resection or transplant (for primary liver cancer or neuroendocrine cancers), an oncologist to discuss systemic treatments, a radiologist and an interventional radiologist who can discuss targeted liver directed therapies.
When liver tumors progress, complicatons can occur. These complications may include blockage of the flow of bile, decreased appetite, fever, liver failure, pain, and weight loss.
A diagnosis of liver tumors, whether primary or metastatic, is extremely frightening. Gaining knowledge about your own disease status helps empower you and your family members as you approach treatment. You are your own best advocate!!
References
Lewis RL. Liver and biliary tract tumors. In Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 206.
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