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Liver cancer
Can liver cancer be transmitted through sharing bowls and chopsticks?
Clinically, eating with liver cancer patients through shared utensils will not lead to the transmission of liver cancer. This is because the occurrence of liver cancer is due to carcinogenic factors acting on the body over a long period of time, causing abnormal proliferation of cells within the body, thus forming a type of neoplasm. It is fundamentally different from the onset of infectious diseases. However, many cases of liver cancer are caused by liver cirrhosis, which itself is often a result of infections such as hepatitis B virus. On the basis of cirrhosis, it may eventually develop into liver cancer. Hepatitis B virus is contagious, and sharing meals with infected individuals can easily lead to the transmission of the hepatitis B virus. Once infected with the hepatitis B virus, the patient is likely to develop hepatitis B, which in turn can lead to liver cirrhosis. From there, it may eventually progress to liver cancer. Therefore, if there is a family member who has live cancer and tests positive for the hepatitis B virus, it is advisable to use separate dining arrangements to avoid the transmission of the hepatitis B virus, which could ultimately lead to liver cancer.
Could constant hiccupping be liver cancer?
Persistent hiccupping is not necessarily a sign of liver cancer. The main causes are likely related to stomach disorders. For instance, chronic gastritis, acute gastritis, peptic ulcers, malignant stomach tumors, stomach cramps, or diseases of the mediastinum, such as mediastinal tumors, may irritate nerves causing persistent hiccups. Persistent hiccups caused by liver cancer are relatively rare, and further comprehensive upper abdominal imaging, chest imaging, and gastroscopic examinations are required to make a definitive diagnosis and initiate appropriate treatment. Treatment for hiccups may include medications such as metoclopramide, as well as acupuncture or moxibustion for symptomatic relief. (Please use medication under the guidance of a physician.)
Is primary liver cancer hereditary?
Primary liver cancer. It is not certain to be hereditary, but there is a certain possibility of heredity. In clinical observations, primary liver cancer often presents familial or regional clustering, which is mainly attributed to common dietary habits, lifestyle habits, and environmental factors. Genetics also play a certain role, but it does not mean that the disease will definitely be inherited. Therefore, if parents or other relatives have a history of this type of liver cancer or other malignant tumors, it is crucial to raise awareness and undergo regular health check-ups. Early detection and treatment can lead to better outcomes.
What should I do about whole-body pain in the late stages of liver cancer?
Patients with late-stage liver cancer may experience widespread pain, and the following treatments can be adopted: For pain caused by bone metastasis, in addition to providing opioids for symptomatic pain relief, local radiotherapy can also be administered to alleviate pain. If necessary, deep hyperthermia treatment can be given to the local metastatic lesions to relieve the pain. For widespread pain, treatment primarily involves the use of medications. The choice of medications can include opioids, supplemented by first-step antipyretic analgesics and medications that promote sleep, as pain tends to decrease when the patient is at rest. Additionally, for late-stage liver cancer patients experiencing widespread pain, an implanted pain pump can be used to control pain by periodically administering pain medication.
What does the complexion look like in the early stages of liver cancer?
In the early stages of liver cancer, there are usually no noticeable changes in complexion, because the tumor is relatively small at this stage and does not compress the local bile ducts or liver tissue, nor does it cause significant damage to liver function. Therefore, the symptoms are mainly localized to the liver area, or there may be no obvious clinical symptoms at all. Some patients may only feel a dull pain in the liver area, while others may experience nausea, belching, or even diarrhea or poor appetite as clinical manifestations. Furthermore, early-stage liver cancer patients do not exhibit significant clinical symptoms. However, as the disease progresses and the tumor grows, it can compress the intrahepatic bile ducts, or even invade the hepatic bile duct system and other areas, causing damage to liver cells, leading to hepatocellular or obstructive jaundice. Clinically, patients may develop a yellowing of the skin, and some may develop pallor due to anemia caused by advanced disease changes.
Can liver cysts turn into liver cancer?
Liver blisters are a colloquial term often referring to cysts in the liver. Modern medicine considers liver cysts to be a degenerative change and a benign lesion that does not undergo malignant transformation or develop into liver cancer. Primary liver cancer mainly includes two types: hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma within the liver. Additionally, there is metastatic liver cancer, which is caused by the metastasis of malignant tumors from other parts of the body to the liver, commonly including liver metastases from colon cancer, lung cancer, etc. Whether primary or secondary metastatic cancer, these liver conditions are distinctively different from liver cysts in imaging studies. Identification is not difficult through examinations such as color Doppler ultrasound, CT, or MRI.
Is alpha-fetoprotein 9 liver cancer?
If alpha-fetoprotein is at 9, the possibility of liver cancer is not high, because an alpha-fetoprotein level of 9 is not considered high. Generally, if alpha-fetoprotein exceeds 300, the likelihood of liver cancer becomes significant. Elevated alpha-fetoprotein can occur in common liver diseases, such as during acute episodes of chronic, active hepatitis, and also in liver cancer. Additionally, some other malignant tumors can also show elevated alpha-fetoprotein levels. When we detect elevated alpha-fetoprotein, the first step is to clearly diagnose the disease, which may involve tests such as hepatitis B serology or DNA testing. Imaging tests like abdominal ultrasounds can help determine the specific disease, followed by targeted treatment.
Why does advanced liver cancer cause itching on the body?
Liver cancer itself does not cause itchy skin, but itchy skin can appear in advanced liver cancer patients due to some complications. Firstly, when liver cancer encroaches on the hepatic portal area, it can invade or compress the biliary system, causing obstruction of the biliary system and increased bilirubin in the blood, which leads to generalized itching. When liver cancer patients also have fungal or parasitic infections of the skin, itching can also occur. Additionally, when liver cancer patients undergo chemotherapy, targeted molecular therapy, or other systemic anti-tumor treatments, they may experience generalized itching due to allergies to medications. In some cases where the allergic reactions are severe, symptoms such as a drop in blood pressure and other manifestations of anaphylactic shock can occur, necessitating prompt treatment.
Early Symptoms and Warning Signs of Liver Cancer
The early symptoms of liver cancer primarily manifest as localized gastrointestinal symptoms. Patients develop an aversion to greasy foods and experience a decrease in appetite. Some may feel bloating and pain in the abdomen, nausea, and distention after eating, and even pain and bloating as early symptoms. Patients become reluctant to be active, and some liver cancer patients may not exhibit many symptoms in the early stages. The precursors of liver cancer mainly present as unexplained fatigue or generalized weakness. If individuals with a family history of liver cancer experience unexplained anorexia, fatigue, and lethargy, the possibility of liver cancer should be considered.
Does early-stage liver cancer cause yellowing of the skin?
In the early stages of liver cancer, generally, the skin does not turn yellow. This is because jaundice, which causes the skin to yellow, occurs in liver cancer patients due to the presence of jaundice. The causes of jaundice in liver cancer patients mainly consider two aspects. The first reason is due to the lesions of liver cancer, which damage liver cells and cause liver function damage, thereby causing jaundice. Another reason is due to significant liver lesions that compress the bile ducts and intrahepatic bile ducts, causing obstructive jaundice. Therefore, the appearance of jaundice is often a clinical manifestation of late-stage liver cancer. In the early stages of liver cancer, the lesions are generally small, causing only mild damage to liver function. Moreover, in most cases, it does not cause compression or obstruction in the biliary system, thus not leading to obstructive jaundice. Therefore, yellowing of the skin does not occur in the early stages.