About this topic
Your liver is a very important organ. It helps you break down food and can help fight germs. Your liver also removes harmful chemicals from the blood. ‚
Liver cancer often happens to people who have long-term liver disease, like liver cirrhosis or hepatitis. It is treated in a number of ways. You may need surgery or radiation. Your doctor may give you chemo. The doctor may work to block the cancers blood supply. Some people may need a liver transplant. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Your care will be based on the kind of treatment you are getting.
- Talk with your doctor about all of the drugs you are taking. Some drugs may be harmful to your liver.
- Avoid being in crowded places. This will lower your chance of infection.
- If you had surgery, follow your doctors instructions for wound care.
- If you are having chemo or radiation, your doctor may give you drugs to help prevent you from feeling sick or other side effects.
What follow-up care is needed?
The doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. You may need more blood work, tests, or treatment. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Prevent infection
- Destroy cancer cells or slow growth of tumors
- Help with side effects like upset stomach or throwing up
- Keep your body from rejecting a new liver
Will physical activity be limited?
Rest is important. Your activity level will depend on the procedure or treatment that you are getting. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. Ask your doctor when you can go back to your normal activities. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
Eating a healthy diet is important during this time. If you need help or want some suggestions, ask to see a dietitian. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Infection
- Pain
- Bleeding
- Liver or kidney failure
- Low mood
- Cancer could come back or spread to other tissues
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, or decreased amount of urine.
- Signs of liver problem. These include upset stomach or throwing up, belly pain, feeling tired, dark urine, yellow skin or eyes, or not hungry.
- Pain that is not helped by the drugs you are taking
- Blood in your stool
- Signs of low mood
- Problems doing normal life activities
Helpful tips
Join a support group to get to know other people who have coped with the condition. You may find it comforting to be with others who share your same problems. You can learn a lot from others who are going through the same thing as you. ‚
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what kind of treatment I will be having.
- I can tell you how to care for my cut site, if I have one.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have upset stomach, throwing up, belly pain, dark urine, or yellow eyes.
Where can I learn more?
American Liver Foundation ‚
http://www.liverfoundation.org/abouttheliver/info/livercancer/ ‚
National Cancer Institute ‚
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/liver/page4 ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cancer-of-the-liver/pages/introduction.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚