Liver Cancer Prognosis
Liver cancer
Liver is an important organ that performs a number of different functions like maintaining fluid balance in the body, handling toxic substances etc. It also produces bile that is instrumental in breaking down fat. Occurrence of cancer in the liver is termed as liver cancer.
Types of Liver cancer
On a broad basis, we can classify liver cancer as primary liver cancer and secondary cancer. When cancer originates in the liver itself, it is called as primary liver cancer. Liver cancer is known as secondary liver cancer when it originates in some other part of the body and then spreads to liver (e.g. due to proximity of liver to the place where cancer originated in the body). Hepatoma and bile duct cancer are the two main types of liver cancer.
Causes of Liver cancer
The two main causes of Liver cancer are: Excessive consumption of alcoholic drinks and occurrence of infections like Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. It’s unfortunate to note that though a number of people know that alcohol can increase the risk of Liver cancer, they still don’t cut down on alcohol.
Symptoms of Liver cancer
Liver cancer can lead to enlargement of Liver which can result in discomfort e.g. pain in the upper abdomen or pain in the right shoulder. There are some other common symptoms of Liver cancer (none of them are too conclusive though) like nausea, weakness, loss of weight etc. Other symptoms of liver cancer include jaundice and fluid disbalance in the body (e.g. building up of fluid in the abdomen). However, these too are just mildly indicative of liver cancer and are in no way conclusive symptoms.
Diagnosis of Liver cancer
Recognizing the symptoms and seeking professional help (from qualified doctors) can help early diagnosis of liver cancer. So, consult your doctor and let him/her know all the symptoms that you have been experiencing. The doctor might do a physical examination and prescribe certain tests as the need may be. The physical examination is basically to check the enlargement of liver. Other tests include liver ultrasound scan, abdominal CT scan, liver biopsy etc.
Treatment of liver cancer
Based on the type of liver cancer, the stage of liver cancer and your general health etc, the doctor might prescribe one or more liver cancer treatment techniques. Surgical procedure to remove the affected part of liver is one of the treatments for liver cancer (especially if it has not spread elsewhere). Besides surgery there are other techniques that use laser and other procedure for removal or destruction of tumor/ liver cancer. Chemotherapy is also one of the liver cancer treatments.
Warren and Karen have been involved in the internet for a number of years and run several websites. They are most interested in providing opportunities for people to connect with information relating to business, health and creativity. Check out their Liver Cancer blog for more information.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karen_Lavender
Liver Cancer Prognosis
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
What Is a Prognosis? (Liver Cancer Prognosis)
Liver Cancer Prognosis
A prognosis gives an idea of the likely course and outcome of a disease -- that is, the chance that a patient will recover or have a recurrence (return of the cancer). Many factors affect a person's prognosis. Some of the most important are:
* The type and location of the cancer
* The stage of the disease (the extent to which the cancer has metastasized, or spread)
* Its grade (how abnormal the cancer cells look and how quickly the cancer is likely to grow and spread).
Other factors that may also affect the prognosis include the person's age, general health, and response to treatment.
When doctors consider a person's prognosis, they carefully weigh all the factors that could affect that person's disease and treatment, and then try to predict what might happen. The doctor bases the prognosis on information researchers have collected over many years about hundreds, or even thousands, of people with cancer. When possible, the doctor uses statistics based on groups of people whose situations are most similar to that of an individual patient.
The doctor may speak of a favorable prognosis if the cancer is likely to respond well to treatment. The prognosis may be unfavorable if the cancer is likely to be difficult to control. It is important to keep in mind, however, that a prognosis is only a prediction. The doctor cannot be absolutely certain about the outcome for a particular patient.
source http://cancer.emedtv.com
Liver Cancer Prognosis
A prognosis gives an idea of the likely course and outcome of a disease -- that is, the chance that a patient will recover or have a recurrence (return of the cancer). Many factors affect a person's prognosis. Some of the most important are:
* The type and location of the cancer
* The stage of the disease (the extent to which the cancer has metastasized, or spread)
* Its grade (how abnormal the cancer cells look and how quickly the cancer is likely to grow and spread).
Other factors that may also affect the prognosis include the person's age, general health, and response to treatment.
When doctors consider a person's prognosis, they carefully weigh all the factors that could affect that person's disease and treatment, and then try to predict what might happen. The doctor bases the prognosis on information researchers have collected over many years about hundreds, or even thousands, of people with cancer. When possible, the doctor uses statistics based on groups of people whose situations are most similar to that of an individual patient.
The doctor may speak of a favorable prognosis if the cancer is likely to respond well to treatment. The prognosis may be unfavorable if the cancer is likely to be difficult to control. It is important to keep in mind, however, that a prognosis is only a prediction. The doctor cannot be absolutely certain about the outcome for a particular patient.
source http://cancer.emedtv.com
Liver Cancer Prognosis
Liver Cancer Prognosis: An Overview ( Liver cancer prognosis)
Liver Cancer Prognosis
People facing liver cancer are naturally concerned about what the future holds. Understanding liver cancer and what to expect can help patients and their loved ones:
*
Plan liver cancer treatment
*
Think about lifestyle changes
*
Make decisions about their quality of life and finances.
Many people with liver cancer want to know their liver cancer prognosis. They may ask their doctor for information or search for statistics on their own.
source http://cancer.emedtv.com
Liver Cancer Prognosis
People facing liver cancer are naturally concerned about what the future holds. Understanding liver cancer and what to expect can help patients and their loved ones:
*
Plan liver cancer treatment
*
Think about lifestyle changes
*
Make decisions about their quality of life and finances.
Many people with liver cancer want to know their liver cancer prognosis. They may ask their doctor for information or search for statistics on their own.
source http://cancer.emedtv.com
Liver Cancer Prognosis
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