Metastatic Liver Cancer Survival Rates

Like any other liver cancer, survival rate of metastatic liver cancer is less and mortality rate is high. Liver cancers can be of two types, primary or secondary (metastatic). Primary liver cancer means that the cancer has been originated in the liver itself. Over here, we shall go through some vital information about this deadly disease.

What is Metastatic Liver Cancer?

The meaning of pathological term 'metastatic' is the transportation of dangerous pathogens or cancerous cells from the originating part of the body to the other parts of the body. Metastatic live cancer is mostly originated in lungs, large intestine, breasts, etc. The reason why cancer spreads to the liver is because in the liver blood filters from the whole body. And when these cancerous cells are detached from the primary cancer site, they travel through the bloodstream. It would be shocking to know that most of the time, the diagnosis of a metastatic liver leads to the discovery of a cancer. This diagnosis is often late and hence survival rate is low.

The main problem with this condition is that it cannot be diagnosed until the cancer has advanced. Few of the liver function tests cannot confirm if a person has got metastatic liver cancer or not. Few of other advanced methods of diagnosis like MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and CT (Computed Tomography) may be helpful in detecting the cancer, but then most of the time, they may be ineffective in detection of small tumors. If the results of these tests are unclear, then a liver biopsy is required which can be a sure-shot method for the diagnosis of metastatic liver cancer. Another method for diagnosing the cancerous tumors, is through laparoscope, which is a viewing tube which is inserted in the abdomen through an incision.

Survival Rate

Metastatic liver cancer is a serious illness and survival rates are relatively less. As per the National Cancer Institute (NCI) records, every year in U.S. there are approx. 24,000 cases of primary liver cancer detected. And there are fair chances for a person to develop metastatic liver cancer and is very common. .

Survival rates in this case are low because most of the time, it is diagnosed very late and during the last stage, and most of the time, death occurs within few months of the diagnosis. The survival rates in developing countries may even be lesser because of the late prognosis and also poor treatment options. Though it may not be in all developing countries but few of them. Also in few of these countries the option of liver transplant may not be a viable option.

Treatment highly depends upon the primary cancer and its condition. Chemotherapy may be used to treat metastatic liver cancer. It does not destroy them completely but then the drug only helps in shrinking the tumor temporarily and hence prolonging life. Then there is radiation therapy treatment for the liver which helps in reducing the pain. Another treatment for it may be a surgery. Though, it may not be even recommended because of severe complications. Over here, small tumors may be removed with surgery.

There are chances that with liver transplant, the life expectancy can be improved, and it can be as high as 75% of them living for up to 5 years. However, the only problem with it is that the liver cancer must be diagnosed in an earlier stage. Liver transplant is also an option when a person is diagnosed earlier with metastatic liver cancer, however since it is a type of secondary cancer, sooner or later the cancerous cells will target the new transplanted liver. Survival rates are low even if a transplant is done. A surgical resection may improve the chances for survival in this case, however it is an option only when the tumors are localized or are stable in the liver area.

However, in cases where surgery is possible, the life expectancy also fairly increases. There are 75% chances that a person will survive for 1 additional year, 50% for 3 years and 30% for 5 years. Hence, there are minimal chances of survival depending upon the condition of the liver cancer. Also, with treatments like chemotherapy and liver transplant, there can be seen an increase in the survival rate. There are 15% chances that because of chemotherapy, life expectancy may increase for 1 year and 3% for 3 years. However, liver transplant survival rates are the highest 80% for 1 year, 70 % for 3 years or 5 years. Over here, the chances are only better until cancerous cells do not target the new transplanted liver.