Management of Liver Cancer for Older Adults

Introduction:

Liver cancer is a critical illness and one of the fastest-growing types of cancer. There are primarily two kinds of liver cancer: primary and secondary. Primary cancer begins in the liver itself. Secondary cancer spreads to the liver from any other part of the body, also known as liver metastasis. Cancer treatment becomes more challenging and complicated for a few older adults. This is because older adults are more likely to have chronic health problems, such as diabetes or heart disease.

What Is Liver Cancer?

Liver cancer is a critical illness and one of the fastest-growing types of cancer. There are primarily two kinds of liver cancer: primary and secondary. Mostly, the cancer of the liver is secondary or metastatic. Cancers that spread to the liver are often colorectal cancers or cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, lungs, kidneys, breast, ovaries, uterus, and skin. The cancer cells found in the metastatic liver tumor are not liver cells. Like many forms of cancer, doctors can treat liver cancer with more feasibility during the early stage of the disease. Unlike many kinds of cancer, doctors have a good idea of what increases the risk of developing liver cancer. On identifying who might be at increased risk, doctors can catch and treat primary liver cancer as early as possible.

What Causes Liver Cancer?

Liver cancer occurs when the DNA of healthy liver cells gets affected. DNA carries the information in the form of genes that inform the cells about its function. Genes are the ones that tell cells when to grow, multiply, and die. For example, oncogenes help the cells to grow and divide. Other genes, known as tumor suppressor genes, monitor cell activity, keeping cells from multiplying uncontrollably and ensuring cell death when their role is done. The cells get new instructions when any mutation or change occurs in the DNA. In HCC, DNA changes turn on oncogenes and turn off tumor suppressor genes. For example, studies show cirrhosis related to hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) account for more than half of all HCC cases. When these viruses infect liver cells, they change cell DNA, turning healthy liver cells into cancerous cells.

What Are the Symptoms of Liver Cancer?

When liver cancer is in its early stages, one might have no symptoms at all. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHC) have similar symptoms:

• A lump below the rib cage, pain on the right side of the abdomen, or pain near the right shoulder.

• Jaundice (a disease that causes skin and eyes to yellow).

• Unexplained weight loss, nausea, or loss of appetite.

• Fatigue.

• Dark-colored urine.

What Are the Diagnostic Methods for Liver Cancer?

1. CT (Computed Tomography) Scan of the Abdomen: It is an X-ray that takes images of the soft tissue. Cancerous tissue appears like a moth-eaten image.

2. Ultrasound of the Liver: This technique is also known as sonography. With the help of high-frequency sound waves passing through the body, abnormalities are detected in the liver.

3. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): Magnetic resonance Imaging is a test that gives a clearer vision of the organs.

4. Angiogram: Dye is injected into the arteries. When images of the body along that artery’s pathway are taken, high-contrast images of internal organs are created.

5. Laparoscopy: A narrow tube with a bulb on the top is inserted, and a biopsy (tissue sample) through a small incision is taken for study under the microscope.

6. Staging Cancer: If cancer spreads to the liver, it is likely in stage four. The stages of cancer range from stage one to four. It is categorized based on the severity of the disease.

What Are the Factors Considered for Managing Liver Cancer In Older Adults?

Cancer treatment becomes more challenging and complicated for a few older adults. This is because older adults are more likely to have chronic health problems, such as diabetes or heart disease. Even in a healthy individual, the body responds differently to treatment than a younger individual’s body. For instance, older adults are more prone to get serious side effects from chemotherapy. However, age should not be the only factor in the treatment decisions. Cancer treatment can be done in people of any age. Before deciding the treatment protocol for an elderly patient, certain factors must be considered. These factors are:

• The type of cancer.

• The spread of cancer.

• The stage of cancer.

• All the available treatment options and their side effects.

• Any other underlying medical condition which might increase the risk of side effects.

• The way the treatment can affect the physical, emotional, mental health, and lifestyle.

• The financial situation of the patient.

• The size, location, and number of tumors metastasized.

• The type of cancer treatment the patient had in the past.

The goals for the treatment of cancer should include:

• Becoming free from cancer.

• Living longer life, even with cancer.

• Having fewer symptoms from cancer and side effects from its treatment.

• Maintaining physical and emotional strength.

• Having a certain quality of life.

How Is the Management of Liver Cancer for Older Adults Done?

The management of liver cancer for people of all ages people can be done in the following ways or in combination:

• Chemotherapy: In this therapy, cancer cells are killed using certain drugs. It targets the cells that grow and multiply quickly, including some healthy cells.

• Radiation Therapies: These therapies can use high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.

• Surgery: A partial hepatectomy or liver transplantation can be done to eradicate the cancer.

Conclusion:

Liver cancer is a critical illness and one of the fastest-growing types of cancer. Liver cancer occurs when the DNA of healthy liver cells gets affected. DNA carries the information in the form of genes that inform the cells about its function. Cancer treatment becomes more challenging and complicated for a few older adults. This is because older adults are more likely to have chronic health problems, such as diabetes or heart disease. Treatment for liver cancer in older individuals can be done by radiation therapy, surgery, chemotherapy, or a combination.