| Liver cancer survival rates indicate the chances a | | | | contained in one spot but can't be removed,c) |
| cancer patient has of surviving the disease for a | | | | advanced - if it has spread through the liver and |
| specified length of time. The rates are by no means | | | | elsewhere,d) recurrent - if the cancer has returned |
| a definite indicator of what will happen to a patient; | | | | after treatment. |
| they can at best predict a patient's chances of what | | | | There are 3 forms of treatment, surgery, |
| might happen to him, if a type of treatment plan is | | | | chemotherapy and radiotherapy used singly or in |
| opted for, based on what has happened to other | | | | combination depending on the stage of the disease |
| patients in similar circumstances. They serve as a | | | | and the prognosis. |
| guide to a patient and his family to know what they | | | | Liver cancer survival rates are rather low because |
| can expect if they choose a particular type of | | | | the disease can go undetected for sometime before |
| treatment or if they should consider one at all rather | | | | any indications surface. The average age of diagnosis |
| than just opt for pain relievers and sedation. | | | | is 60 and more than half of patients are men. |
| The liver is the largest gland in the body that | | | | The overall worldwide liver cancer survival rates |
| performs the many vital functions of storing vitamins | | | | indicate that only 7% of liver Cancer patients reach |
| and nutrients, producing proteins that are required for | | | | the 5 year survival mark after diagnosis. In cases |
| blood clotting, creating bile required for digestion and | | | | where the cancer can be surgically removed, 75% will |
| of breaking down and filtering toxins from blood. | | | | survive for 1 year, 50% for 3 years and 30% for 5 |
| There are two types of liver cancer; primary liver | | | | years. |
| cancer which begins in the liver tissue itself and | | | | Liver cancer survival rates are high in cases of |
| metastasized liver cancer which is a secondary liver | | | | primary cancer where a liver transplant is possible to |
| cancer that originates in the other parts of the body | | | | as much as 75% for 5 years. Liver transplants for |
| and then spreads to the liver. cancer cells can travel | | | | metastatic cases have a zero survival rate as it is |
| easily to the liver because of its function in filtering | | | | only a matter of time before the cancer spreads to |
| blood. It most commonly spread from the colon, | | | | the new organ. Complete surgical resection at a |
| breast, pancreas, stomach or lungs. | | | | stage when the tumor is completely resectable gives |
| As with all other types of cancers, survival rates are | | | | patients an even higher survival rate than a |
| heavily dependent on the stage at which the disease | | | | transplant; however, the number of cases when this |
| is diagnosed. This also determines the treatment | | | | is possible is very limited. |
| options that can be opted for. Some doctor use the | | | | The only way to improve the survival rates for liver |
| TNM classification method, in which T refers to the | | | | cancer is by understanding the risk factors which |
| size of the tumor which can vary from T1 to T4, N | | | | might make it easier for the disease to be diagnosed |
| indicates if the disease has spread to the lymph | | | | at an early stage. This means that high risk |
| nodes and M indicates if it has spread to the other | | | | candidates must have regular ultra sounds and blood |
| organs. | | | | tests to check the liver enzyme level which will |
| Some prefer to stage the disease intoa) localized | | | | indicate if the liver is functioning at optimum level or |
| resectable- if the tumor is contained in one spot | | | | not. |
| (T1-T2),b) localized unresectable - where the tumor is | | | | |