Can stage 4 liver cancer be cured?

Can stage 4 liver cancer be cured? is an article that aims to give you all the information you do not know about can stage 4 liver cancer be cured and more. We kindly shared the main headings with you;

One of the cancer forms with the quickest rate of growth in the United States is liver cancer, a potentially fatal condition. Liver cancer comes in two varieties: primary and secondary. Your liver is where primary cancer begins. The secondary cancer moves from another area of your body to your liver. The core liver cancer topic is covered in this article. Similar to many other cancers, liver cancer can be treated more effectively in its early stages by medical professionals.

The causes of liver cancer are well understood by medical professionals, unlike many other types of cancer. In order to detect and treat primary liver cancer as soon as feasible, healthcare providers are focused on identifying those who may be at elevated risk.

When something alters the DNA of healthy liver cells, liver cancer results. The genes that instruct our cells how to function are carried by DNA. Everybody has genes that control when cells divide, proliferate, and die. Oncogenes, for instance, promote cell division and growth. Other genes, known as tumor suppressor genes, keep an eye on cell activity, preventing uncontrollable cell growth and ensuring that cells pass away when they should.

Our cells receive new instructions whenever our DNA is altered or mutated. DNA alterations in HCC activate oncogenes and/or silence tumor suppressor genes. For instance, research indicates that more than half of all instances of HCC are caused by cirrhosis brought on by the hepatitis B and C viruses. These viruses modify the DNA of the liver cells they infect, transforming normal liver cells into malignant ones.

 

What is HCC?

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the term for primary liver cancer, or cancer that first appears in the liver. Despite being the third most common cause of cancer death, it is the sixth most prevalent type of cancer worldwide. HCC almost often develops in patients with chronic liver disease.

• Chronic HBV or HCV infection. Your chance of developing liver cancer rises if you have chronic hepatitis B or C infection (HBV or HCV).
• Your risks of having liver cancer grow due to the formation of scar tissue in your liver as a result of this progressive and irreversible disorder.
• Certain hereditary liver conditions. Hemochromatosis and Wilson’s disease are two liver conditions that can raise the chance of developing liver cancer. 
• Compared to people without diabetes, persons with this blood sugar issue have a higher risk of developing liver cancer.
• Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The risk of liver cancer rises when there is a buildup of fat in the liver.
• Exposure to aflatoxins. Aflatoxins are poisons that are created by mold on crops that have been improperly stored. Aflatoxin contamination of crops, including grains and nuts, can lead to aflatoxins appearing in foods made from these ingredients.
• Excessive alcohol consumption. Over a long period of time, consuming more alcohol than is considered moderate can permanently harm your liver and raise your risk of developing liver cancer.

The largest organ in your body, the liver aids in food digestion. Your liver performs a number of crucial processes, including:

• Gathering and filtering blood that is being produced by your intestines.
• Absorbing nutrients from your intestines and processing and storing them.
• Transforming some nutrients into the energy or materials your body needs to create new tissue.
• Producing bile, a liquid that aids in fat digestion.
• Digesting and storing additional meal ingredients, such as sugar, to produce energy.
• Producing chemicals that aid in blood clotting.

When you have liver cancer your organ struggles to perform these functions and your health gets threatened.

Early-stage liver cancer patients may not exhibit any symptoms at all. Similar symptoms can be seen in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC):

• A lump below your ribcage, right abdominal discomfort, an ache near your right shoulder, or right-side abdominal pain
• Jaundice(a disease that causes skin and eyes to yellow)
• Unexplained weight loss, nausea, or loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Dark-colored urine

• Blood testing: Doctors may perform blood tests for cancer, such a liver function test, to look for liver enzymes, proteins, and other substances that indicate whether your liver is healthy or damaged. A test for AFP might be performed. A high AFP level could be a sign of liver cancer.
• Sonography (ultrasound): This procedure produces images of the soft tissue structures within your body. Ultrasound is a tool that doctors use to check for liver tumors.
• Computed tomography (CT) scan: This specialized form of X-ray creates comprehensive images of your liver and provides details on the size and location of liver tumors.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This test uses a powerful magnet, radio waves, and a computer to produce extremely clear images of your body.
• Angiogram: An angiogram is a test that aids medical professionals in examining the blood arteries in your liver. Your healthcare provider administers dye during this test so they can monitor blood vessel activity and check for blockages.
• Biopsy: Medical professionals take liver tissue and examine it for indications of malignancy. The most accurate method for diagnosing liver cancer is through biopsies.

The following phases of hepatocellular carcinoma are included:

• Stage I (also known as the very early stage or stage 0): At this stage, you have a solitary liver tumor that is less than 2 centimeters (cm) in size, which is referred to as stage I, very early stage, or stage 0. You have normal bilirubin levels, according to blood testing.
• Stage II (also known as the early stage or stage A): If you have more than one tumor that is less than 3 cm in diameter or a single tumor that is less than 5 cm in size, you have stage II, early stage, or stage A. Your blood arteries may have become infected by the tumor.
• Stage III (also known as the intermediate stage or stage B): At this time, you may have many tumors or tumors that are larger than 5 cm. Your lymph nodes, major blood vessels, or another organ could have been affected by the tumor’s spread.
• Stage IV (also known as the advanced stage or stage C): At this stage, cancer has spread to lymph nodes, as well as other parts of your body such as your lungs or bones.

Surgery

• Tumor removal with surgery. If your tumor is small and your liver function is good, your doctor may in certain cases advise a procedure to remove the liver cancer and a small part of healthy liver tissue that surrounds it. Whether this is a choice for you also depends on where in the liver the cancer is located, how effectively your liver works, and how healthy you are in general.
• Surgery for a liver transplant. Your sick liver is removed during a liver transplant procedure, and it is then replaced with a healthy liver from a donor. Only a limited number of persons with early-stage liver cancer have the option of undergoing liver transplant surgery.

 

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy fights cancer by activating your immune system. Because cancer cells create proteins that render immune system cells blind, your body’s immune system, which is meant to combat disease, may not attack your cancer. Immunotherapy works by obstructing that procedure. Patients with advanced liver cancer typically receive immunotherapy treatments.Invest in your health, invest in a brighter future. Our comprehensive medical programs deliver real results, while you indulge in the beauty and serenity of our destination.

 

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy employs medications to destroy rapidly proliferating cells, particularly cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be given orally, through a vein in your arm, or both. Sometimes advanced liver cancer is treated with chemotherapy.

 

Localized treatments

A liver cancer treatment that is administered locally is one that targets the cancer cells themselves or their immediate surroundings. Options for localized liver cancer treatment include:

• Heating up cancerous cells. Electric current is used in radiofrequency ablation to heat and kill cancer cells. The doctor makes a few tiny incisions in your belly and inserts one or more thin needles using an imaging test, such as an ultrasound, as a guide. When the needles get close to the tumor, an electric current heats them up, killing the cancer cells. Lasers or microwaves may be used in further procedures to heat the cancer cells.
• Cancer cell freezing. Extreme cold is used in cryoablation to kill cancer cells. Your doctor will use a tool called a cryoprobe during the treatment to apply liquid nitrogen straight to liver tumors. In order to direct the cryoprobe and track the freezing of the cells, ultrasound pictures are used.
• Alcohol injections into the tumor. Pure alcohol is injected into tumors during alcohol injection, either through the skin or during surgery. Alcohol results in the demise of malignant cells.
• Injections of chemotherapeutic medicines into the liver. Chemoembolization is a form of chemotherapy in which potent anti-cancer medications are administered directly to the liver.
• Injecting radioactive beads into the liver. The liver can be implanted with tiny radiation-containing spheres that can deliver radiation directly to the tumor.

Radiotherapy

High-powered energy from sources like X-rays and protons is used in this procedure to kill cancer cells and reduce tumor size. Doctors carefully guide the energy to the liver while preserving the healthy tissue around it. If other treatments are either impractical or unsuccessful, radiation therapy may be a possibility. Radiation therapy may aid in symptom management for advanced liver cancer. 

 

Targeted therapy

Drug therapies that target specific abnormalities in cancer cells are used. Targeted medication therapies have the ability to kill cancer cells by obstructing these abnormalities.

Palliative care

Palliative care is a type of specialist medical treatment that concentrates on relieving pain and other severe sickness symptoms. Specialists in palliative care collaborate with you, your loved ones, and your other medical professionals to add an extra layer of support to your ongoing treatment. While receiving more invasive therapies like surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy, palliative care can be used. People with cancer may feel better and live longer when palliative care is utilized in addition to all other necessary therapies.

To assist you in choosing the course of treatment that best suits your needs, it is crucial to review all of your available alternatives with your doctors, including their aims and any potential adverse effects. Some crucial considerations include:

• Age and anticipated lifespan
• Any further severe medical issues you may have
• The stage of cancer you have
• The possibility that a given treatment would end cancer or help a patient
• Patient’s thoughts regarding potential treatment side effects

In Turkey, the average cost of treating liver cancer is around €27600. A consultation with a surgeon, oncologist, interventional radiologist, ultrasound, PET/CT, tumor marker blood test, extended blood analysis, SIRT therapy, and liver cancer removal are among the offers.

You can easily calculate your treatment price with the help of the cost calculator given below. 

Although you can’t totally prevent liver cancer, you can take the following steps to lessen your risk:

• Steer clear of actions that cause cirrhosis. Long-term liver damage results in cirrhosis, which is liver scarring (fibrosis). The liver is unable to function correctly due to the scar tissue. Cirrhosis is commonly referred to as end-stage liver disease since it develops after earlier stages of liver damage from diseases like hepatitis.
• Attain or keep a healthy weight.
• Get vaccinated against hepatitis B.
• Consult your doctor about the hepatitis A vaccine.
• Ask your healthcare provider about liver cancer screenings if you are a heavy drinker, have diabetes, obesity, or any type of liver condition.

Can stage 4 liver cancer be cured? Unfortunately, treatment won’t be able to reverse advanced liver cancer. Its goals include symptom relief, cancer control, and improving your quality of life.

Liver transplants that are successful can cure patients with liver cancer, but not every patient in need of a transplant will be in good enough health or be able to find a donor. According to studies, those who undergo surgery to remove a portion of their liver typically live longer than those whose condition prevents surgery. When that occurs, healthcare professionals concentrate on therapies to help individuals live as long as feasible with a high quality of life.

Your body suffers from liver cancer and its therapies. Some people undergo surgery to remove a portion of their liver or liver transplants. Others might require medical attention for the rest of their lives. In either case, you should schedule frequent visits with your doctor so they can follow your treatment’s results and keep an eye out for any signs of liver cancer recurrence. For the first two years following therapy, patients who do not exhibit symptoms of liver cancer should schedule follow-up imaging and blood testing every three to six months.

Here are some actions you may take if you’ve already undergone treatment for liver cancer to lower your risk of the disease returning:

• Avoid getting the hepatitis B and C viruses.
• Try to quit smoking if you do. Ask your doctor about smoking cessation programs if you need assistance.
• Reduce your alcohol consumption or make an effort to stop. Once more, if you require assistance, your healthcare professional might suggest services and programs.
• Adopt a healthy diet. When your body needs nutrition to heal and stay strong, liver cancer and its treatment may impact your appetite. Speak to a nutritionist if you are having issues with your diet. They’ll offer tips on how to get the nourishment you require.
• Do exercise. In light of your circumstances, ask your healthcare professional whether exercise is appropriate. Stress comes with cancer. That stress can be somewhat reduced by exercise.
• Take time to rest. The symptoms of liver cancer and its therapy frequently include fatigue.
• Liver cancer might make you feel lonely to survive. It’s possible that you don’t feel confident discussing your disease with others. In such case, ask your doctor for suggestions for support groups where you may talk to individuals who understand what you’re going through. Their assistance and comprehension may help.

You can always contact us if you seek help in battling against cancer. Feel free to use our free consulting service, Medical Center Turkey team is here to help.