Beware of liver cancer without symptoms

Among digestive system cancers, liver cancer has a high incidence. If the liver cancer has a small lesion, no tumor thrombus, no metastasis in the liver, and no distant metastasis of lymph node tuberculosis, the prognosis is good. However, for a large liver cancer that has metastasized in the liver or to distant sites, the prognosis is poor. Therefore, early diagnosis of liver cancer is an important factor affecting its prognosis.

Some early symptoms such as pain in the liver area and jaundice can help patients detect liver cancer early, but liver cancer may also occur without symptoms, which requires the patient's attention.

The liver is a solid organ located in the abdominal cavity. If there are cancerous nodules in the liver, the liver may not necessarily show swelling. In addition, the liver's compensatory function is strong, so it may not affect the liver function until the late stage. Some hepatitis patients feel that their physical condition is very good and their liver function tests are normal, so they think they will not suffer from liver cancer. However, when they experience pain in the liver area and swelling of the liver, they are already in the late stage of liver cancer when they are checked again. The best time for treatment has been lost. In fact, with the continuous improvement of diagnostic capabilities and the enhancement of people's health awareness, most liver cancers are asymptomatic when they are discovered.

Early diagnosis of liver cancer can be carried out through the following two aspects: First, check alpha-fetoprotein. About 60% to 70% of liver cancer patients have elevated alpha-fetoprotein, which is elevated when there are no symptoms. Liver cancer can be detected by testing alpha-fetoprotein; second, ultrasound examination. Usually, liver cancer with a diameter of 2 cm can be detected by ultrasound examination, and experienced doctors can even detect liver cancer below 0.1 cm.