As an internist, I have met countless patients in my clinical practice, and in these cases, the situation of liver cancer patients is always particularly worrying. Liver cancer is often detected at an advanced stage because its early symptoms are not significant, which is not uncommon in the medical community, but it has often become a nightmare for both doctors and patients.
Let me share an impressive case. A few years ago, Mr. Zhang came to my clinic complaining of persistent fatigue and loss of appetite, and at the first visit I noticed that his skin and the whites of his eyes were slightly yellowish, which is a typical symptom of jaundice. After the initial examination, I recommended him to do further liver function tests and a CT scan of the liver. Unfortunately, my suspicions were confirmed by the fact that Mr. Zhang already had multiple tumor nodules in his liver, and the size and characteristics of some of the nodules indicated that liver cancer might be at an advanced stage.
Explanation of the advanced phenomenon of liver cancer
Liver cancer is usually detected at an advanced stage, and there are multiple factors behind this. First of all, the liver is a unique and complex organ with a strong compensatory capacity that allows the remaining healthy parts to continue to perform their physiological functions even if part of the liver is damaged. As a result, many patients do not experience significant discomfort or symptoms in the early stages of the disease.
Second, the liver is located deep in the abdomen, and early tumors or small liver lesions are not easily detected by external examination, nor are they prone to cause obvious signs such as pain or lumps. This "silent" mode of progression makes it easy to ignore early liver cancer.
In addition, the symptoms of early-stage liver cancer are often non-specific, such as mild fatigue or malaise, which can easily be mistaken for fatigue or other minor health problems that are common in daily life. As a result of the combination of these factors, liver cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, when the tumor may have grown or metastasized, making it significantly more difficult and complex to treat.
Therefore, understanding these characteristics of liver cancer is of great significance to improve people's health awareness and promote early diagnosis. By educating the public to identify possible early symptoms and conducting appropriate examinations, the difficulty of treatment and poor prognosis caused by late detection can be reduced to a certain extent.
Three types of abnormal symptoms of the warning
1. Increased fatigue
A persistent unexplained decline in physical strength is an often overlooked signal. If you've been feeling more fatigue lately, especially if you're not adding extra load or exercise, you should be alarmed. The liver is the center of energy metabolism in the body, and abnormal liver function can lead to feelings of fatigue.
2. Digestive system abnormalities
In the early stage of liver cancer, there are often no obvious symptoms, but when the tumor gradually grows or spreads, digestive system abnormalities such as loss of appetite and persistent abdominal pain may occur. In particular, a dull pain in the stomach or abdomen should cause alarm.
3. Physical changes
Jaundice is a common manifestation of impaired liver function, which is characterized by yellow staining of the skin, mucous membranes, and eyeball. In addition, a mass or edema in the abdomen may also be one of the manifestations of advanced liver cancer. For these physical changes, prompt medical attention and further tests should be carried out.
The above three abnormal symptoms are not necessarily liver cancer, but when they occur, especially when they occur together, a medical examination should be carried out in time to rule out potential health problems. Remember, early detection and early treatment are the keys to defeating liver cancer.
Practical guidelines: The importance of liver CT
Why choose a liver CT scan?
High sensitivity: Liver CT can clearly show the structure inside the liver, including masses of various sizes. It has high sensitivity and helps to detect liver cancer or other abnormalities at an early stage.
Comprehensiveness: Liver CT not only examines the liver itself, but also evaluates the condition of surrounding organs and tissues, helping doctors to make a comprehensive evaluation.
Non-invasive: Liver CT is a non-invasive test that uses X-rays and computer technology to produce high-definition images without surgery or puncture.
Rapidity: Liver CT can usually be completed in a short period of time, and the results are obtained quickly, which helps to make a timely diagnosis and treatment plan.
Who should consider a liver CT scan?
High-risk groups: People with a history of chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus infection, as well as people with long-term alcohol abuse and liver disease such as fatty liver or cirrhosis, should consider regular liver CT scans.
Abnormal symptoms: People who have symptoms related to liver cancer, such as increased fatigue, digestive system abnormalities, and physical changes, should have a liver CT scan in a timely manner.
Other medical needs: Depending on the individual's circumstances, such as family genetic history, history of other diseases, etc., your doctor may recommend a CT scan of the liver.
How is a liver CT scan?
Preparation: Before the test, you need to fast for 4-6 hours and avoid eating or drinking.
Examination process: During the examination, you need to lie on the examination table, keep quiet and cooperate with the doctor's instructions, and the whole process usually lasts from a few minutes to ten minutes.
Safety: Liver CT is a safe procedure, but it should be considered with caution in pregnant women and patients with severe renal insufficiency.
Interpretation of results: After the examination, the doctor will interpret the CT images and make further diagnosis and treatment plans based on the results.
Through regular liver CT examination, it can help detect liver cancer and other liver diseases early, improve the success rate of treatment, and reduce the risk of patients. Therefore, liver CT is an important health management measure for high-risk groups or people with related symptoms.