Secondary Liver Cancer: Symptoms and Treatment

Signs and Symptoms of Secondary Liver Cancer

Secondary liver cancer is usually asymptomatic in the early stage. General weakness and some other vague symptoms may be present, but such symptoms can be caused by conditions other than liver cancer as well. Symptoms that can be produced by secondary liver cancer are:

✦ A vague discomfort in the upper right part of the abdomen
✦ Loss of appetite
✦ Weight loss
✦ Nausea and vomiting
✦ Feeling sick
✦ Unusual fatigue
✦ A swollen abdomen
✦ Jaundice or yellowing of the skin and the white portion of the eye

The liver can become enlarged due to the development of tumors. This can produce discomfort in the upper right part of the abdomen, which may become painful at times. Sometimes, the pain can radiate to the right shoulder, which is known as referred pain. This referred pain is caused by the enlarged liver pressing against the nerves present in the diaphragm that are connected to the nerves in the right shoulder.

Sometimes, the affected individual can feel tenderness in the upper right side of the abdomen. Splenomegaly or an abnormal enlargement of the spleen can also be associated with secondary liver cancer. Secondary liver cancer can cause jaundice, when the enlarging tumor blocks the bile duct. This causes the reverse flow of bile to the bloodstream. As a result, the sclera or the white portion of the eye and the skin turn yellow. Jaundice can also cause dark-colored urine and pale stool.

Ascites or the accumulation of serous fluid in the peritoneal cavity is another complication associated with liver cancer. The cancer cells can spread to the abdominal lining and irritate it, causing the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen. Moreover, the diseased liver can fail to make enough proteins, and proteins are needed to hold fluid inside the blood vessels. The lack of enough proteins can, therefore, cause blood to leak into the tissues, including the abdominal tissues, which can cause ascites. Sometimes, the cancerous cells can also block the lymphatic system, and impair the drainage of excess fluid from the body.

As the disease progresses, the liver may fail to eliminate toxic materials from the blood. This can cause the accumulation of toxins in the blood, which can eventually affect the brain. This is referred to as liver encephalopathy. Liver or hepatic encephalopathy can produce symptoms like confusion, forgetfulness, mood changes, and disorientation, depending on the severity of the condition.

Due to the absence of any specific symptom, liver cancer is difficult to diagnose. Physicians usually suspect liver cancer when the liver is found to be enlarged. Blood tests are conducted to find out the level of alkaline phosphate, an abnormal level of which can indicate liver cancer. Liver function test is carried out to look for the levels of liver enzymes and certain proteins.
Apart from these, liver scan, ultrasound or sonography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and CT scan of the liver and the abdomen are carried out to ensure the proper diagnosis of this condition. Sometimes, a liver biopsy can also be required for a confirmed diagnosis.

Chemotherapy is the preferred option for treating secondary liver cancer. In chemotherapy, some specific drugs or chemotherapy agents are used to destroy the cancerous cells, and thus, shrink the tumors. Chemotherapy is sometimes used before surgery to shrink the tumors, so that they can be removed easily. Occasionally, it can be used after surgery as well. Chemotherapy is effective in prolonging the lifespan of the patient, but it cannot cure the disease.

If the tumors are localized and are less in number, liver surgery can be performed. Surgery is effective when the cancer cells or tumors affect a few areas of the liver. If a large part of the liver is affected, it may not be possible to remove all the cancerous tumors with surgery. In such a situation, physicians can opt for other treatment options instead of surgery, or surgery can be carried out along with other treatments.

This technique employs radio waves to destroy cancer cells. This method is usually employed when a patient has already undergone surgery, or he or she is not fit to have surgery. Radiofrequency ablation is usually used when the cancer originates in the bowel and then spread to the liver.

Radiotherapy is usually used for alleviating the painful symptoms produced by this condition. It can help relieve the pain and discomfort produced by liver cancer.

Sometimes, hormonal therapies are also used, especially when the cancer originates in the breast and then spreads to the liver. Hormonal therapies can slow down the growth of malignant cells, and providing relief from the symptoms of secondary liver cancer.

Also known as biological therapies, these are sometimes combined with chemotherapy and surgery to treat secondary liver cancer, especially when the cancer spreads from the bowel and the breast. There are several types of targeted therapies. Targeted therapies usually target the specific proteins found in the cancer cells, by using monoclonal antibodies and cancer growth inhibitors.