Cancer in the liver occurs in two ways. Cancer known as metastatic liver cancer spreads from another site in the body, including the breast, lung or colon. Hepatocellular carcinoma is cancer that actually starts in the liver itself. Both types of cancer produce vague or no symptoms early in the disease. The disease typically progresses quickly, causing symptoms in the late stage of the disease. Liver cancer usually causes fatality in a matter of months.
Hemorrhage
"Medical Surgical Nursing" lists bleeding and hemorrhage as common symptoms in later stages of liver cancer. Damage caused by liver cancer causes an alteration in the body's ability to clot blood. Thin blood, along with engorged blood vessels due to the backup of blood flow, put the cancer patient at high risk for bleeding. Bleeding commonly occurs in the esophagus, stomach or intestines, but may occur elsewhere in the body.
Confusion and Coma
Both the Merck Manual and "Medical Surgical Nursing" report that hepatic encephalopathy typically occurs in the end stages of liver cancer and precedes death. This condition consists of the buildup of toxins, especially ammonia, in the blood and brain. As a result, confusion, behavior changes and impaired thinking occur. Progression of this condition continues to worsen until coma and then death ensues.
Shortness of Breath
A condition known as ascites occurs in the end stages of liver cancer. According to the Merck Manual, when a tumor spreads throughout the liver, it often causes leakage of fluid into the abdominal cavity. This fluid accumulates and causes many discomforts, including bloating, nausea, vomiting and shortness of breath. Shortness of breath commonly occurs due to the fluid pushing upward, causing pressure on the lungs and limiting their expansion.
Weight Loss
The Merck Manual lists weight loss as an early sign of liver cancer. Destruction of the liver causes an inability of the body to absorb nutrients, causing malnutrition in the person with liver cancer. Loss of appetite typical of cancerous disease also occurs, increasing weight loss. Patients with liver cancer in the end stages commonly suffer from a severe form of weight loss and muscle wasting called cachexia.
Jaundice
Jaundice describes a condition consisting of the buildup of a substance known as bilirubin in the bloodstream due to the blockage of the bile duct. The National Cancer Institute reports that jaundice occurs with liver cancer. When liver tumors grow large enough or block the bile duct, jaundice occurs and typically remains through the end stage of the disease. Extreme fatigue and weakness also occur with these conditions in the end stages of liver cancer.
Pain
Pain commonly correlates with end-stage liver cancer. Pain often occurs as the result of pressure in the abdomen from ascites fluid. This results in skin tightness and a full feeling of discomfort. Pain also occurs as the result of tumors in the liver.
References
- "Medical Surgical Nursing"; D. Ignatavicius, MSN, L. Workman, Ph.D..; 2002
- National Cancer Institute: Liver Cancer Symptoms
- Merck: Metastatic Liver Cancer
