Metastases in the liver: treatment. Metastases in the liver: causes, symptoms and treatment characteristics

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The liver is one of the vital organs of the body, located on the right side of the abdomen, below the diaphragm. It is protected by ribs. The liver plays an important role in the process of digestion along with the pancreas and intestines. Some of its main functions are detoxification, protein synthesis and the production of biochemical substances necessary for digestion. treatment of metastasis in the liver

This organ promotes bile secretion, production of protein necessary for blood clotting, storage of glycogen, decomposition of red blood cells and amino acids. The liver also participates in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, fats and in the production of hormones.

In the article, we will find out how, when diagnosing cancer in the named organ, it is treated. Metastases in the liver do not allow to give an exact prediction that they will not appear again, and in any case the patient will have to control his condition all his life and visit the doctor.

What is the metastasis of

The risk that the cancer will spread in the liver depends on the location of the source. Metastases are malignant tumors that have spread, for example, to the liver from another place in the body. In such a case, they are called secondary liver cancer. Primary pathology occurs in the organ itself. But even if the tumor is removed, after many years the metastases can re-enter the liver.

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If a patient has been diagnosed with cancer, it is important to know its signs and to represent how treatment is performed. Metastases in the liver require mandatory follow-up of the patient from a specialist.

methods of treatment of metastases in the liver

The metastasis process of

There are 6 stages in the process of metastasis formation. Not all malignant formations follow him, but in most cases this is how they progress:

  1. Cancer cells move from their primary location to nearby organs or healthy tissues.
  2. Metastases move through the walls of the lymphatic and blood vessels.
  3. Cancer cells migrate through the lymphatic system and the bloodstream to other parts of the body.
  4. Stop moving when they reach the goal. Then the metastases move through the capillaries( small blood vessels), their walls and penetrate into adjacent tissues.
  5. Cancer cells grow in a remote place and create small tumors called micrometastases.
  6. These formations stimulate the creation of new blood vessels that supply the nutrients and oxygen needed to grow a malignant tumor.

For which reasons many malignant tumors metastasize to the liver

Localization of malignant lesions in the liver occurs mainly due to cancer of the stomach and esophagus. But often because of lung cancer also formed metastases in the liver. Treatment( reviews about it are ambiguous) is aimed not only at eliminating symptoms, but also on the causes of their occurrence.

Good blood circulation and peculiarities of the functioning of the liver cause its attractiveness for malignant cells. Through it, every minute passes more than 1.5 liters of blood. This body is a kind of boiler for cleaning blood from toxic substances.

Metastatic cells settle in places where blood flow is slower. By this principle, liver metastases are formed. Pancreatic cancer, the treatment of which, although aimed at nonproliferation in other organs, still, for example, can affect the organ described, especially if the disease is at the last stage.

metastases in liver treatment reviews

Symptomatic manifestation of

disease Unfortunately, in the early stages there are no signs on which it is possible to determine the presence of oncology. And in later stages, liver cancer can cause it to swell. When this occurs, the following symptoms occur:

  • loss of appetite;
  • weight reduction;
  • dark urine color;
  • bloating or flatulence;
  • jaundice( yellowing of the skin or eyes);
  • pain in the right shoulder;
  • pain in the upper right side of the abdomen;
  • nausea;
  • sweating and fever;
  • lump on the right side of the abdomen, below the rib cage.

treatment of liver cancer metastases

Testing and Diagnostics

During a physical examination, a doctor may suspect liver cancer. And if one of the above symptoms does not bother the patient, an additional examination will be required to confirm the diagnosis.

  1. The level of serum markers in the blood is determined. If the disease is present, there may be higher levels of alpha-fetoprotein( AFP).The enzymes of the liver are often elevated.
  2. CT scan of the abdominal cavity is performed. This is a special kind of X-ray that delivers visual images of soft tissues, organs in detail.
  3. of a liver ultrasound. It is also called echography. Ultrasound transmits high-frequency sound waves through the body. These sound waves produce an echo, which is then used to create a map - a computerized image of the body's soft tissues.
  4. Magnetic resonance imaging( MRI) creates very clear images of internal organs.
  5. Laparoscopy. Doctors use a narrow tube( laparoscope) with light and a biopsy. The instrument is inserted through a small incision and the material is taken for examination under a microscope. Laparoscopy is the most reliable minimally invasive method for diagnosing cancer.

On what factors depends therapy

Fortunately, the development of medical technology offers more effective methods of treatment of metastases in the liver, and also gives hope to patients. Currently, there are several options used to cure metastatic cancer.

Typically, the choice of therapeutic intervention will depend on the patient's age and overall health, the size, location and amount of metastatic tumors, the location of the primary cancer, and the types of neoplasm in the patient in the history.

Systemic Therapy of

Systemic treatment of metastasis of liver cancer occurs through the bloodstream. In medicine, several methods are used:

  1. Chemotherapy: a form of treatment using drugs to kill cancer cells.
  2. BRM-therapy: treatment that uses certain antibodies, growth factors and a vaccine. These supplements are designed to enhance or restore the ability of the immune system to fight cancer.
  3. Therapeutic treatment. Metastases in the liver are destroyed with drugs and other substances, such as monoclonal antibodies made in the laboratory and designed to detect cancer cells. This therapy has fewer side effects than other methods.
  4. Hormone therapy. It is used to slow or stop the growth of certain types of tumors.
  5. Localized treatment. Metastases in the liver are destroyed sighting, only in places of lock-up. Can be used in the early stages of the disease.
  6. Radiation therapy. It uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells and reduce tumors.
  7. Surgical removal. It is possible if there is a small number of malignant lesions affecting only a small portion of the liver.

Metastasis means the spread of cancer from the main organ. The treatment of any form depends on the extent of the spread of bad cells to distant organs. If cancer spreads to other tissues, it can reduce the survival rate of the patient.

stomach cancer metastasis in liver treatment

Resection and prognosis in its conduct

Statistics show that patients with gastric cancer( liver metastases), whose treatment was correct and effective, still have unfavorable prognosis. The survival rate for such people, unfortunately, is the lowest. Less than 20% of patients after the therapy have a chance to live about 3 years.

The clinical efficacy of resection of hepatic metastases is still not generally accepted. However, non-surgical methods of treatment do not allow achieving satisfactory results. In patients undergoing chemotherapy, the average survival rate varies from 2.9 to 11.8 months.

Clinical and pathological features associated with the prediction of gastric cancer and metastases to the liver have not been comprehensively addressed. Nevertheless, their presence in a vital organ is a statistically significant adverse prognostic factor for patients.

After the resection, the patient should be placed under the supervision of doctors, since it is very important to perform an ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity to prevent the accumulation of fluid in the area of ​​the operation. After the patient is discharged from the clinic, he must undergo an examination every three months for two years to avoid relapse.

Folk treatment( liver metastases)

Nontraditional methods are also applicable in the treatment of cancer. But all of them are effective only at an early stage of its development.

First of all, it is necessary to observe proper nutrition. To ease the focus of soreness, stop eating harmful foods. In this way, of course, it is impossible to heal metastases in the liver. Treatment with folk remedies will only help maintain the general condition and relieve the patient of certain symptoms.

To avoid the disease passing into the chronic stage of development, use the following means: weigh 100 g of oats, pour it 2500 ml of steep boiling water, add 150 ml of natural liquid honey. The bank must be closed and put in a warm, dark place for a day. After 24 hours have passed, put it in a cold place, so that the prodrug is not cooked. Take it twice a day after meals for 6 weeks.

Please note! Any non-traditional remedy that you prefer to use will not cure metastases in the liver. Treatment with folk remedies can not be done on their own. First consult with your doctor.

liver metastases cancer pancreatic treatment

What is the survival percentage of

The lifespan of a patient suffering from liver metastases obviously depends on when the pathology is diagnosed, as well as on the treatment options that have been taken. According to statistical studies, only 10% of the described patients live for 5 years. But with early detection of pathology and timely treatment begun, 5-year survival is already observed in 40% of patients.

Liver transplant increases the chances of survival by more than 80% and guarantees a survival rate of 75% of cases.