What is liver metastasis?
Liver metastasis is a cancerous tumor that has spread to the liver from cancer that started in another place in the body. It’s also called secondary liver cancer. Primary liver cancer originates in the liver and most commonly affects individuals who have risk factors such as hepatitis or cirrhosis. Most of the time, cancer in the liver is secondary, or metastatic.
The cancer cells found in a metastatic liver tumor are not liver cells. They are the cells from the part of the body where primary cancer began (for example, cancerous breast, colon, or lung cells). Dr. Manoj Dongare provides the best Liver Metastasis Treatment in Pune. He is the best liver specialist in Pune.
What are the symptoms of liver metastasis?
There may be no symptoms in the early stages of liver metastasis. In later stages, cancer can cause the liver to swell or obstruct the normal flow of blood and bile. When this happens, the following symptoms may occur:
- loss of appetite
- weight loss
- dark-colored urine
- abdominal swelling or bloating
- jaundice, a yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes
- pain in the right shoulder
- pain in the upper right abdomen
- nausea
- vomiting
- enlarged liver
When to visit a Liver Specialist doctor?
It’s important to see a liver specialist doctor right away if you have any of the symptoms described above. The following symptoms indicate a more urgent and serious problem:
- persistent vomiting, meaning vomiting more than twice a day for more than one day
- blood in vomit
- recent, unexplained weight loss
- black bowel movements
- difficulty swallowing
- new swelling in the legs or abdomen
- jaundice or yellowing of the skin
What are the causes of liver metastasis?
The risk that cancer will spread, or metastasize, to the liver depends on the location of the original cancer. Primary cancers that are most likely to spread to the liver are cancers of the:
- breast
- colon
- rectum
- kidney
- esophagus
- lung
- skin
- ovaries
- uterus
- pancreas
- stomach
How does liver metastasis diagnosed?
Dr. Manoj Dongare may suspect liver cancer if the liver is enlarged on examination, if the liver surface is not smooth, or if any of the symptoms above are reported. Various kinds of testing will be needed to confirm the diagnosis. These tests include:
- Blood Test: blood tests indicate how well the liver is functioning. Liver enzyme levels are often elevated when there is a problem. Blood or serum markers are substances in the blood that are linked to cancer.
- CT scan of the abdomen: A computed tomography (CT) scan is a special kind of X-ray that takes visual images of soft-tissue organs in detail. Cancerous tissue will have a moth-eaten appearance.
- Ultrasound of the liver: Also called sonography, an ultrasound transmits high-frequency sound waves through the body. These sound waves produce echoes.
- MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) creates extremely clear images of internal organs and soft-tissue structures. It uses radio waves, a large magnet, and a computer.
- Angiogram: In an angiogram, dye is injected into an artery. When images are taken of the body along that artery’s pathway, it can produce high-contrast images of internal structures.
What is the cost of liver metastasis treatment in Pune?
Several options are currently used for treating cancer that has metastasized to the liver. In most cases, treatment will be palliative. This means that it will be used to control symptoms of cancer and prolong life but will not likely result in a cure. Generally, the cost of liver metastasis treatments depends on:
- the person’s age and overall health
- the size, location, and number of metastatic tumors
- location and type of the primary cancer
- the types of cancer treatment the patient had in the past
Book an Appointment:
Dr. Manoj Dongare at Dr. D. Y. Patil Hospital and Research Center provides one of the best treatments for various Liver diseases in Pimpri Chinchwad Pune. For more information about our comprehensive treatment options, or to request an appointment with one of the best HPB and Liver Transplant surgeon in Pune call 09881379573 or Click on Book Appointment for online booking with your near hospital.