Stage 4 Liver Cancer: Symptoms, How Long to Live

It is the most used method to determine how far cancer has progressed in the patient. The TNM system uses three factors to identify the stage of cancer:- 

1. Tumour (T): Checks the size of the tumour
2. Node (N): If cancer has spread to the nearby lymph nodes
3. Metastasis (M): If cancer has spread to the distant parts of the body, such as the lungs and bones

Identifying the cancer stage helps the doctor to know if it is treatable. If yes, what can be the right treatment for the patient? If cancer has advanced, the doctors may apply a different treatment approach than the tumours caught in an early stage. 

The treatment plan can also be based on the patient’s symptoms to improve his or her quality of life. 

This article focuses on stage 4 liver cancer, its symptoms, and what is the life expectancy of the patient at this stage. 

In this stage, the tumour may have grown any size and spread to the blood vessels and nearby organs of the liver. There are chances that more than one tumour may have developed at this stage. 

Stage 4 liver cancer can be of two types: stage 4A and 4B. 

1. Stage 4A: One or more tumours may be detected at this stage. Cancer may have grown in the nearby lymph nodes, but it doesn’t reach the distant organs at this stage. 
2. Stage 4B: More than one tumour may be present in the body. It may not have reached the nearby lymph nodes at this stage, but it spreads to distant organs, such as lungs and bones. 

Liver cancer can be life-threatening for the patient as it makes the liver not perform its function fully. The liver helps in digestion, detoxification of the blood, and fighting infections by building immune factors. If the liver fails to perform these functions, it can lead to serious health risks. 

The stages of liver cancer are identified during the diagnosis. There are mainly four types of tumour (T) stages: T1-T4.

The patient may not observe any signs or symptoms during the initial stages of liver cancer. However, as the disease progresses, the patients may notice certain symptoms that may or may not be related to the cancer stage. The symptoms may vary depending on how the disease affects every person individually. 

End-stage liver cancer symptoms usually include:

1. Abdominal pain 
2. Swelling in the abdomen 
3. Loss of appetite 
4. A feeling of fulness even after eating a small portion of food 
5. Itching on the skin 
6. Fluid building up in the abdomen 
7. Jaundice 
8. Liver enlargement 
9. Spleen enlargement 
10. Nausea or vomiting 
11. Unintended weight loss 

Sometimes, liver cancer may cause the liver to produce hormones affecting other body organs. In such cases, the patient may notice the following symptoms:

1. Male breast enlargement or testicle shrinkage (Gynaecomastia)
2. High levels of red blood cells (Erythrocytosis)
3. High cholesterol 
4. Reduced blood sugar levels that may cause fatigue or unconsciousness 
5. Increased calcium in the body that may cause constipation, a feeling of confusion, nausea, or weakness

In most cases, chronic hepatitis infections lead to liver cancer, but it can also sometimes occur in patients with no underlying disease. Therefore, it may not be possible to pinpoint the exact cause of liver cancer. 

However, cancer occurs when the DNA of the liver cells develops a mutation. Cells are the basic units of the body in all living organisms. Most chemical reactions take place inside a cell and are controlled by the DNA. And when the DNA is altered, a cell may grow uncontrollably and become a tumour. 

Several risk factors, including medical conditions and behaviours, can lead to liver cancer. These factors include:

1. Cirrhosis: It causes scarring in the liver tissue causing permanent damage. Cirrhosis can also cause liver cancer as it progresses. 
2. Hepatitis B: Prolonged exposure to the Hepatitis B virus can lead to liver cancer. Studies show that hepatitis B increases the risk of liver cancer 12 times even if the patient doesn’t have cirrhosis. 
3. Hepatitis C: If a patient has been suffering from Hepatitis C infection for a long time, he or she is also at an increased risk of developing liver cancer. 
4. Diabetes: Patients with diabetes are at higher risk of having liver cancer than the ones who don’t have diabetes. 
5. Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: When excess fat builds up in the liver, it may cause liver cancer over time. 
6. Excessive Alcohol Consumption: Drinking excess amounts of alcohol for a long time can cause permanent damage to the liver and also increases the risk of liver cancer. 
7. Exposure to Aflatoxins: Aflatoxins are the toxins produced by moulds or fungi that grow on crops such as maize, peanuts, and tree nuts. Exposure to these toxins can also increase the risk of developing liver cancer.

To diagnose liver cancer, the doctor first performs a physical exam of the suspected patient. During the physical exam, the doctor checks whether there is any abnormal fluid buildup in the abdomen or signs of jaundice (yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes). If the patient has any signs of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC), the doctor may also feel the abdomen to check if it is swollen or if any lumps are present. 

Several other imaging procedures follow the physical examination to determine the cancer stage. The imaging procedures may include:

1. An ultrasound 
2. Computerised tomography 
3. Magnetic resonance imaging, 
4. Blood tests, including liver function tests 
5. Other than the blood tests and imaging procedures, the doctor may order some additional tests to diagnose liver cancer. These tests may include:
   1. Angiogram: This test is performed to test the blood vessels of the liver. During the test, a dye is injected into an artery which carries it to the liver blood vessels. The dye helps to check the blood-vessel activity and to rule out the possibility of a blockage. 
   2. Biopsy: A biopsy is a conventional test performed to identify the signs of cancer. In this test, a small tissue is removed from the liver to determine if the patient has liver cancer or not. 

1. Stage 4 liver cancer is not reversible, but its symptoms can be managed with treatment. The treatment options for stage 4 mainly depend upon the patient’s health. 
2. As stage 4 is an advanced form of cancer, treatment options are often limited. Liver transplant and surgery are not really effective for stage 4 liver cancer. However, a combination of drugs is often prescribed by doctors. 
3. Radiation therapy (using high-energy particles) is also considered a potential treatment approach to stage 4 liver cancer.  

The survival rate after diagnosis of liver cancer is five years, but it may vary depending on the person. Life expectancy after cancer diagnosis depends on several factors, such as:

1. Stage of cancer
2. Patient’s health
3. Treatment plan  

The life expectancy specific to stage 4 liver cancer is four to eleven months if cancer has grown in the nearby lymph nodes or distant organs. But this survival rate also depends on the severity of liver damage and the treatment plan given to the patient. So, every patient must consult the doctor to understand his or her case.

A diagnosis of stage 4 liver cancer can be extremely overwhelming for the patient and his or her family and friends. Initially, taking every step further after the diagnosis, such as finding a doctor and picking the right treatment option, may seem difficult and confusing. So, increasing awareness about the disease becomes really important to take well-informed decisions. 

If you are diagnosed with liver cancer, contact HexaHealth experts to find the best doctors and get personalised treatment advice. Our expert medical health professionals are here to inform you more about your condition and address your emotional needs. Remember, getting educated about your condition can help you cope with it. So, get in touch with us today!