Stage 4 liver Cancer
Liver cancer or Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the deadliest forms of cancer that occurs in the tissues of the liver. This cancer is described as a silent killer because it remains hidden for a long time without showing any symptoms and is usually detected at the advanced stage. The extent to which the cancer cells have spread or grown is determined by doctors by conducting a series of tests which includes x-rays, CT scan, MRI, ultrasound etc. This process of determining the stage of the cancer is known as staging. Staging is important to obtain the patient’s prognosis and to decide on the appropriate treatment method.
Liver cancer is divided into four stages that are described as follows:
- Stage I means that there is a single tumor which is small, usually measuring 2cm or smaller. The cancer has not spread to lymph nodes, the blood vessels, or in any other part of the body. This stage is treated by surgical removal.
- Stage 2 means that there is a single tumor that has grown into the blood vessels or many tumors that are less than 5cm in diameter. The cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes or in any other part of the body. Treatment options include Chemotherapy, transplant or surgery treatment.
- Stage 3 is an advanced stage of liver cancer that is further divided into stage 3A, 3B and 3C. Stage 3A indicates that the tumors are big in size, but they did not spread to the lymph nodes. Stage 3B indicates that the tumors have grown into the lymph nodes close to the liver, but they have not spread to any other part of your body. Stage 3C means that the cancer has spread to the nearby organs (except the gallbladder), or if the tumor has formed around the covering of the liver. Chemotherapy, surgery, radiation or transplants are the various treatment options.
- Stage 4 is the most fatal stage of liver cancer. In this stage, cancer can be of various sizes, and has spread to other organs in the body or to lymph nodes. This stage cannot be treated with surgery. Treatment options include chemotherapy, radiation and transplant.
- Stage 4 liver cancer is the last stage of liver cancer and it multiplies and spreads to other parts of the body at a fast pace. This stage is very difficult to treat as there are no standardized methods or treatments that are 100% effective.
Stage 4 liver cancer symptoms
The symptoms of the last stage of liver cancer include:
Jaundice
Liver cirrhosis
Abdominal pain
Fever
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Pain
Fatigue
Nausea and vomiting
Swollen abdomen
Stage 4 liver cancer treatment
Although not 100 % effective, the treatment options of stage 4 liver cancer includes chemotherapy (use of drugs to kill cancer cells), radiation therapy (use of high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors), and liver transplantation. These treatment options however do not cure the disease, but they aid in prolonging the life of the patient.
Stage 4 liver cancer prognosis
The prognosis largely depends upon factors such as age, sex, hereditary factors, general physical and mental condition of the patient, and how well the patient responds to the treatment. Stage 4 liver cancer is a condition which is unfortunately beyond cure. Palliative care is the only option available which would help the patient get some relief from pain and other discomforts caused by liver cancer.
Stage 4 liver cancer survival rates
Stage 4 liver cancer survival rates indicate the number of people who survive the cancer for a period of 5 years after being diagnosed with it. The survival rates for stage 4 liver cancer are very low because the cancer remains undetected for many years and the symptoms begin to show only after the disease reaches the advanced stage. Statistics have revealed that only 7% of the patients survive the stage 4 liver cancer for a period of 5 years. However the survival rate of patients whose cancer has been removed surgically is about 75% after 1 year, 50% after 3 years and 30% after 5 years. If the cancer is metastatic (cancer that has spread to the liver from elsewhere in the body) then the survival rate of liver cancer life expectancy is unfortunately 0% even if the patient has had a liver transplantation.
It is important to note that the prognosis of liver cancer does not depend on the statistics because every cancer is unique in its own way. The same type cancer can affect people in different ways. The possible outcome and treatment of liver cancer depends on the stage of the cancer or how widespread it is.