Stage 4 Liver Cancer

Liver cancer is described as a 'silent killer'; as it is usually detected in later stages. The early symptoms of liver cancer are not very noticeable. 'Stage 3' or 'stage 4 liver cancer' is considered as advanced liver cancer. Staging helps know how widespread the cancer is. Liver cancer treatment options vary according to liver cancer stages. Doctors can get an exact idea about the prognosis with the help of the staging system and they can determine the most appropriate treatment accordingly. Stage one is the phase when the tumor is very small and confined to the liver only. If the cancer is detected during this stage, it can be removed with the help of a surgery. Liver cancer is said to be in 'stage 4' when it has spread to other distant organs. It is then classified as end stage liver cancer. Usually, liver cancer spreads to the lungs and bones when it reaches the 'stage four'. CT scan, X rays, MRI and bone scan, etc., help determine the stage. Here is a list of risk factors that can make a person more likely to develop liver cancer.

Increased Risk of Liver Cancer
Some risk factors, like a person's age, gender, family history, ethnicity cannot be changed, while some factors, like smoking can be controlled. Obesity, diabetes, certain types of liver diseases, like repeated infections of hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV), liver cirrhosis, alcohol abuse, long term use of anabolic steroids, drinking water containing arsenic, long-term exposure to aflatoxins can increase the risk of liver cancer. According to the statistics published by the National Cancer Institute, liver cancer attacked 22,000 Americans in the year 2010.

Symptoms
Stages of liver cancer are determined with the help of the information on the number and size of primary tumor(s), the extent of spread to nearby (regional) lymph nodes and nearby as well as distant organs. During the initial stages, when the tumor is very small, no symptoms are exhibited by the body. Symptoms like digestive problems, mild fever, low energy level, loss of appetite are generally ignored. As the tumor grows and enters into the advanced stage, some symptoms are noticed by the person. Stages describe whether the cancer has metastasized (spread) to other organs of the body and doctors can accordingly take prompt decisions regarding the treatment. Here are stage 4 liver cancer symptoms that are commonly noticed.

• Loss of normal liver function can result in hepatic encephalopathy. Due to build up of toxins and waste material in the body, the person may suffer from confusion, memory loss, drastic changes in personality, increased irritation, sleep disturbances, inability to concentrate, and even kidney failure, collapsed lungs and coma.
• Liver cirrhosis leading to loss of liver function, internal bleeding, enlarged spleen, low platelet count, etc.
• Jaundice leading to yellow skin, yellow eyes, strong smelling amber colored urine, pale stools, loss of appetite and weakness.
• High fever
• Undesired weight loss
• Swelling and pain in the abdomen
• Bone Pain
• Decreased lung capacity
• Severe fatigue

Treatment
Unfortunately, there is no treatment for the end stage liver cancer. Liver transplant cannot be the option when the cancer has spread to other organs. The cancer usually invades lungs, bones, kidneys, and pancreas. It can actually attack any part of the body. Pain killers are administered to relieve the pain. Primary liver cancer patients may take part in a clinical trial. They may register their names for a clinical trial of biologic therapy, chemotherapy, and/or radiation therapy with or without radiosensitizers. These treatments may or may not improve the quality of life; but reports of clinical trials are definitely helpful for further research.

According to the experts, alternate therapies sometimes work great for cancer when combined with the conventional treatment. Following a healthy and balanced diet, incorporating fresh fruit, veggies, whole grains, lean meats, fish, turkey and chicken is essential to maintain the strength of the immune system. Following a low sugar, low salt diet helps prevent worsening of the condition. Highly processed food and junk food should be strictly avoided. Following a stress-free lifestyle is essential to maintain strong body and mind. Meditation, prayers work in mysterious ways! Simple home remedies like consumption of wheat-grass juice or Maitake mushroom extract in liquid form help strengthen the immune system and can boost energy levels. The patient and family members should never lose hopes. Strong mind, faith in God, strong wish to fight cancer, perfect attitude play an important role in cancer treatment.
Prognosis
During the fourth stage, liver cancer is beyond control. As the disease cannot be cured at this stage, palliative therapy is the only option left. Doctors try to improve the quality of the patient's life by controlling pain and other problems caused by the disease. Liver cancer prognosis refers to the likely outcome of the diagnosed cancer. Patients should not lose hope as every case is a unique one. The growth rate of the cancer varies from patient to patient. The prognosis depends upon age, sex, overall physical and mental condition of the patient, hereditary factors, and how the patient responds to the treatment. Love and family support play an important role in uplifting the spirit of the patient.

Life Expectancy
As mentioned above, life expectancy for liver cancer will vary according to the overall physical and mental state of the patient. According to the available statistics, around 22% liver cancer cases are diagnosed when the cancer has reached an advanced stage. Therefore, liver cancer survival rate is very poor. The survival rate for liver cancer in fourth stage is around 3.5% which means about 3 - 4 patients out of 100 patients diagnosed with 'liver cancer - stage 4' survive for five years.

Remember, you cannot make a prediction about the life span of a cancer patient, with the help of available statistics. These statistics are based on the observations noted down after studying some groups of people diagnosed with the disease. Every patient diagnosed with cancer is unique. The figures available should be used as guidelines only.