Liver cancer begins with tumors originating in the liver. If tumors spread beyond the liver and surrounding lymph nodes, doctors diagnose end stage liver cancer. The chances of survival diminish significantly once tumors spread beyond the liver.
Definition
End stage liver cancer is also commonly referred to as stage 4 liver cancer or metastatic liver cancer. Metastasis occurs when tumors spread beyond the originating organ and surrounding lymph nodes.
Identification
Once doctors suspect liver cancer, they use tests such as CT scan, MRI scan, bone scan, and X-ray to determine how far tumors have spread.
Prognosis
According to the National Cancer Institute, only 2.4 percent of stage 4 liver cancer patients survive after five years.
Treatment
Some options for liver cancer treatment include resection of the tumors in the liver, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, heating the cancer tumors and freezing the tumors.
Alternative
If conventional cancer treatment has little chance of success, many doctors suggest palliative care. Palliative care manages the symptoms of cancer rather than to fight the disease. The goal is to improve a terminal patient's quality of life rather than to extend life.
Tags: stage liver, stage liver cancer, liver cancer, spread beyond, tumors spread, tumors spread beyond, beyond liver