What is Second Stage Liver Cancer?

Jump To :

1. How TNM staging is defined
2. What is second-stage liver cancer
3. Video explaining symptoms of liver cancer
4. symptoms of second-stage liver cancer
5. Diagnosis of liver cancer
6. Treatment for second-stage liver cancer

Stage 2 liver cancer is a serious condition, but it is treatable. It is defined as a single tumor that is more than 2 cm in size or multiple tumors that are all less than 5 cm in size.

The tumor has not spread to the lymph nodes or other areas of the body.

by knowing stage 2 liver cancer symptoms Read further to know about stage 2 liver cancer OR Watch the video below

What is stage 2 liver cancer?

The second stage, or stage 2 liver cancer, shows a single tumour over 2 cm, and it has grown into blood vessels of the liver.

It can also mean several liver tumours, and they are all less than 5cm.

How TNM Staging is Defined?

There are different staging systems for liver cancer.

They stage the liver cancer based on the tumour size, location, extent of spread and several other parameters.

When seeking liver cancer treatment in Mumbai, the TNM staging system plays a crucial role in assessing the disease. It evaluates the primary tumor’s size and invasion into nearby structures (T stage), the involvement of nearby lymph nodes (N stage), and the presence of distant metastasis to other organs (M stage).

In the T stage, the size of the tumor is assessed, along with its extent of invasion into nearby structures and blood vessels.

The N stage is crucial for identifying whether the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are an essential part of the body’s immune system and serve as filters to trap and destroy harmful substances.

The M stage focuses on whether the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body beyond the liver. This may include the lungs, bones, or other organs, which can significantly impact the overall prognosis and treatment options available to the patient.

A TNM staging system is one of the most commonly used staging systems. Based on the TNM staging system, liver cancer is divided into four stages, from 1 to 4.

If you or your loved one is facing liver cancer, finding skilled and experienced liver cancer surgeons in Mumbai is crucial for personalized and effective treatment. 

In this video, Dr. Praveen Kammar is explaining about the symptoms of Liver Cancer

Symptoms of stage 2 liver cancer

The liver is a robust organ with a large functional reserve. Hence, early-stage liver cancers do not produce any symptoms.

Many times, patients suffering from liver cancer may have a damaged liver (cirrhosis).

It is worth remembering that the reasons for overall liver damage (hepatitis and cirrhosis)  and liver cancer are mostly the same.

So there may be symptoms arising due to liver damage or liver failure in the presence of liver cancer.

Stage 2 liver cancer symptoms include:

• Persistent pain in the lower right side of the belly
• Feeling of fullness
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea or vomiting
• Unexplained weight loss 
• Swelling in the belly
• Fever
• Abnormal bleeding or bruising 
• Yellowish discolouration of skin and eyes

If you have never had liver cancer before, report all-new or unexplained symptoms to your doctor.

Read Also: What Are the Stages of Liver Cancer?

Diagnosis of Liver Cancer

Screening for early detection of liver cancer at any stage is not performed routinely. Still, it may be considered for people at high risk for the disease.

Especially those with a family or previous medical history of liver cancer and conditions like hemochromatosis, chronic hepatitis, and alcohol addiction.

Tests for the Detection of Liver Cancer include:

Imaging with ultrasound :

It is the initial diagnostic test used to detect tumours.

However, ultrasound cannot give all the information required to start treatment for liver cancer. High-resolution CT scans and contrasts MRI scans can are necessary to evaluate liver cancers.

A PET scan or a bone scan is usually done to look for the spread of liver cancers to other parts of the body.

Blood Tests :

These measure tumour markers-  which are the substances that rise in the blood if someone has particular cancer.

Liver cancers secrete alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), which is present in fetuses but goes away after birth. Elevated AFP levels are seen in  70% of liver cancers. 

Read Also: What Is the Last Stage of Liver Cancer?

Second Stage Liver Cancer Treatment

Second-stage liver cancer Treatment in Mumbai is based on how well your liver is working and other health conditions.

Surgery is the treatment of choice for stage 2 of liver cancer. 

Depending on the size of the cancer and its location in the liver, one or more segments of the liver need to be removed to achieve a successful surgery. 

How healthy the remaining liver is, influences the choice and extent of surgery and postoperative recovery

Sometimes, your doctor may recommend a liver transplant for stage 2 liver cancer.

This is generally done when the rest of the liver is also damaged (by cirrhosis and hepatitis) and is likely to worsen.

You may have to wait longer to receive a transplant. So, for the time being, you might receive other treatments to help control cancer while you are on the transplant list.

Chemoembolization is also termed trans arterial Chemoembolization (TACE).

This means giving chemotherapy directly into the arteries feeding the tumour-affected area of your liver and then blocking off the blood supply to the tumour.

TACE is generally recommended as the treatment of choice if there are more than 3 tumour nodules in the liver.

Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) and Microwave Ablation (MWA):

These treatments make use of heat to destroy tumour cells. 

These options are considered when the patient is not fit for liver surgery.

For tumours smaller than 2cms RFA can be considered an alternative to surgery.

These ablative modalities can also be used as a bridge while waiting for a liver transplant.

Conclusion

A second-stage liver cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming.

If you experience any symptoms and are concerned about your risk of liver cancer, you must visit a Liver Cancer Specialist in Mumbai Dr. Praveen Kammar about liver cancer screening.

And it’s essential to connect with people in your life who can help you deal with stress, anxiety, or other feelings that you may develop after being diagnosed.

Book an appointment with us now to know more about second-stage liver cancer!