No te dejes sorprender por la alarma silenciosa del cáncer de hígado

Author: Dr. Fu Jianfeng, Deputy Director of the Department of Oncology, Hunan Province Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine (Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine). Contributor: Shu Qi, Tumor Department, Hunan Province Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine. Follow @HunanYiliao for more health and scientific outreach information.

Title: Don't be caught off guard by the silent alarm of liver cancer. Profile: Liver cancer, known as the "silent killer," has no early symptoms. Early detection is key.

The liver, known as the "chemical factory of the human body," has impressive "resilience." It lacks pain sensory nerves, so early alterations often occur without manifesting symptoms. For this reason, liver cancer is called the "silent killer"; by the time obvious symptoms appear, it is mostly already in intermediate or advanced stages.

Fu Jianfeng, Deputy Director of the Department of Oncology at the Hunan Province Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, warns that liver cancer is neither inevitable nor ungovernable. Understanding the liver's "distress signals" and mastering scientific prevention and treatment methods can establish a solid line of defense for life.

What "warning signs" of the liver should be heeded?

1. Fatigue and unexplained weight loss that does not improve even with rest.

2. A dull pain, a feeling of fullness, or sharp pain may appear in the upper right abdomen or liver area, with the pain location being relatively fixed.

3. Loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal bloating, especially worsening symptoms after consuming fatty foods.

4. Sudden yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes, accompanied by itchy skin, dark urine resembling strong tea, and pale stools like mud. This is a typical manifestation of jaundice.

5. An unexplained hard lump may appear in the abdomen, and there may be pain upon pressing it. Once these symptoms are present, they should not be taken lightly, and one should go to a hospital for an examination as soon as possible.

Regular screening is key.

For high-risk individuals (those infected with hepatitis B/C, cirrhosis patients, chronic drinkers, those with a family history of liver cancer, etc.), it is recommended to undergo liver cancer screening every six months.

Liver ultrasound can clearly observe the shape and size of the liver and detect lesions within the liver in a timely manner.

Treatment methods for liver cancer mainly include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.

1. Surgery: For early-stage liver cancer patients, liver resection surgery or liver transplantation is the most effective treatment.

2. Radiotherapy: Mainly used for patients who cannot undergo surgery, it can help shrink tumors or alleviate symptoms.

3. Chemotherapy: Although liver cancer is less sensitive to chemotherapy, it can still serve as an auxiliary treatment option.

4. Targeted therapy: This targets specific points on liver cancer cells to slow down cancer progression.

5. Immunotherapy: This activates the patient's immune system to fight against cancer cells, and it is currently under research.

Specific treatment plans need to be tailored to the patient's specific situation, such as the stage of the disease, liver function, and overall health status. It is advised to have detailed discussions with doctors to choose the most suitable treatment plan.

Early-stage liver cancer can be cured through surgery, local ablation treatments (such as radiofrequency or microwave ablation), and other methods, resulting in a relatively high five-year survival rate.

In intermediate and advanced stages of liver cancer, a comprehensive treatment model is required that includes interventional therapies, targeted treatments, immunotherapy, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Although achieving a complete cure is difficult, these options can effectively extend patient survival and improve the quality of life.

3. Traditional Chinese medicine treatment: Depending on the types of syndromes the patient has (such as liver stagnation, accumulation of dampness and heat, spleen deficiency with dampness, qi stagnation, and blood stasis), appropriate herbal formulas are combined to achieve effects such as promoting liver flow and strengthening the spleen, eliminating heat and detoxifying, activating blood circulation and resolving stasis, and softening lumps and dispersing knots. This can improve the patient's physical condition and reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. External applications of Chinese herbs, acupuncture, moxibustion, and acupuncture point applications are traditional Chinese medicine treatments that can alleviate symptoms such as pain and abdominal distension, regulating qi, blood, and the function of internal organs.

The main preventive methods for liver cancer include the following points:

1. Vaccination: Vaccination against hepatitis B can effectively prevent hepatitis B virus infection, thereby reducing the risk of liver cancer.

2. Healthy diet: Maintain a balanced diet, increase the intake of fruits and vegetables, avoid excessive alcohol consumption, and reduce the intake of high-fat and high-sugar foods.

3. Regular health checks: Regular health check-ups are important, especially for hepatitis virus carriers, to monitor liver function and liver health.

4. Weight management: Maintain a healthy weight to prevent obesity, which may increase the risk of liver cancer.

5. Avoid exposure to toxins: Avoid contact with harmful substances such as industrial chemicals and certain pesticides to reduce the risk of liver damage.

6. Lifestyle: Quit smoking, control alcohol intake, maintain appropriate physical activity levels, and strengthen the body's immunity to reduce the risk of disease.

7. Managing underlying diseases: For those with existing liver disease (such as hepatitis or cirrhosis), active treatment and management are required to reduce the risk of liver cancer.

By taking these preventive measures, the risk of liver cancer can be effectively reduced.

1. Active vaccination against hepatitis B is the most effective way to prevent hepatitis B virus infection and is also the first line of defense against liver cancer.

For individuals with hepatitis B or C infection, it is imperative to go to an appropriate hospital immediately, follow the physician's guidance for antiviral treatment, and have regular check-ups to monitor disease progression.

3. Adopt healthy lifestyle habits, quit smoking, limit alcohol consumption, avoiding excessive and prolonged drinking; maintain a balanced diet consuming more fresh vegetables and fruits, and avoid moldy or spoiled food; establish a regular schedule, avoid staying up late, exercise appropriately, control weight, and prevent fatty liver disease.

4. Maintain a positive attitude, undergo regular medical check-ups, and detect and treat potential liver issues in a timely manner.

Experts warn.

Dr. Fu Jianfeng, Deputy Director of the Department of Oncology, warns that while liver cancer is frightening, if we heighten our vigilance, conduct screening exams, and adopt healthy lifestyle habits, we can effectively reduce the risk of its occurrence. Let us work together to care for liver health and not allow the "silent killer" to take control of our lives.

Hunan Yiliao Special Author: Shu Qi, Tumor Department, Hunan Province Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine.

Follow @HunanYiliao for more health and scientific outreach information.