Contents:
- Medical Video: 5 Common signs of Liver Cancer
- Stages for liver cancer
- Grouping of liver cancer stages
- Stage I
- Stage II
- Stage IIIA
- Stage IIIB
- Stage IIIC
- Stage IVA
- Stage IVB
- Other system stages
- Cirrhosis stage system
Medical Video: 5 Common signs of Liver Cancer
When you are diagnosed with liver cancer, the doctor will state your cancer stage. Stadium is a way to find out the status of your condition. Cancer rates You can tell if the cancer has spread to other organs. This will also help your doctor to find the best treatment for you. There are several system stages for liver cancer, and not all doctors use the same system. The most common stage system is called American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM system. We can help explain it below:
Stages for liver cancer
The first step in diagnosing liver cancer is to find out how many tumors have developed, their size, whether they have blood vessels, and whether they involve further local extension. This is a T score (tumor).
Lymph nodes are examined if the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes and given an N (node) score. Finally, each metastasis, or spread to points and other body parts, is examined and given an M (metastatic) score.
For each score there will be a scale from 0 to 4:
- Figures 0 to 4 indicate severity.
- The letter X means "cannot be assessed" because this information is not available.
Combining the T, N, and M scores determine the stage for cancer which ranges between I (1) and IV (4). Roman numerals are used to label cancer rates. Numbers lower than I and II mean the cancer has not spread and is still localized in the liver. The higher the number, the cancer becomes more serious and more difficult to treat.
Stage III has 3 sub stages: A, B and C. The sub stage describes the size and location of the tumor. Stage III means the cancer has spread to the closest blood vessels, lymph nodes, and other organs that are close to the liver. Stage IV means the cancer has spread outside the liver.
The stage system for liver cancer depends only on the extent of the spread of cancer. However, patients with liver cancer experience other damage to their hearts. This makes the heart not work properly as it should, which also influences treatment choices and prospects for patients.
Grouping of liver cancer stages
After the T, N, and M groups are determined, they are then combined to find out the whole stage, using Roman numerals I to IV (1 to 4):
Stage I
T1, N0, M0: There is a single tumor (any size) that has not yet grown in a blood vessel. the cancer has not spread to the closest lymph nodes or distant places.
Stage II
T2, N0, M0: Either there is a single tumor (any size) that has developed in a vein, or there are several tumors, and all are 5 cm (2 inches) or less. Cancer has not spread to the nearest lymph nodes or distant places.
Stage IIIA
T3a, N0, M0: There are more than one tumor, and at least one is greater than 5 cm (2 inches). Cancer has not spread to the nearest lymph nodes or distant places.
Stage IIIB
T3b, N0, M0: At least one tumor grows into a branch of the main vein in the liver (portal vein or hepatic vein). Cancer has not spread to the nearest lymph nodes or distant places.
Stage IIIC
T4, N0, M0: A tumor grows on the closest organ (other than the gallbladder), or the tumor has grown outside and covered the liver. Cancer has not spread to the nearest lymph nodes or distant places.
Stage IVA
T, N1, M0: Tumors in the liver can have various sizes or quantities and they may have grown into a nearby vein or organ. Cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes. Cancer has not spread to distant places.
Stage IVB
Every T, every N, M1: Cancer has spread to other parts of the body (tumors can have different sizes or quantities, and nearby lymph nodes may or may not have been affected).
Because liver cancer patients usually have a dysfunctional liver due to cirrhosis, doctors who treat liver cancer need to know how well the rest of your heart works. They use a system called score Child-Pugh, which measures several different substances in the blood, fluid in the stomach, and brain function to do this.
Other system stages
Liver cancer is very complicated. The TNM system usually only defines the extent of cancer and does not include liver function. There are several systems that take into account liver function, including:
- The Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) system
- The Cancer of the Liver Italian Program (CLIP) system
- Okuda System
This system can be used in various parts of the world. To better understand the stage of your cancer, ask your doctor which system they are using. Understanding your cancer stage will help you understand the severity of your liver cancer.
Cirrhosis stage system
Cirrhosis is a severe form of injury that occurs in the liver due to other conditions such as hepatitis and prolonged use of alcohol. Most patients with liver cancer also have cirrhosis.
For the stage of cirrhosis, the doctor may use a score Child-Pugh. This is a widely used system that measures liver function and categorizes the extent of cirrhosis. This uses a combination of physical examination and lab tests. Scoring system Child-Pugh seen on 5 factors, 3 first from blood test results:
- Bilirubin level. High bilirubin causes yellowing of the skin and eyes.
- The level of albumin, is the main protein that is usually made by the liver.
- Prothrombin time, which means how kind hearted it is in freezing blood.
- Is there fluid (ascites) in the stomach.
- Does liver disease affect brain function.
From the results of testing these factors, liver function is divided into 3 classes: A, B, and C. Class A means that your liver functions are normal. If there are mild abnormalities in your liver function, you are classified as class B. Severe cases are class C. Patients with liver cancer and class C cirrhosis are often too sick for surgery or other major cancer treatments.
The level of liver cancer can help you and your doctor decide which treatment plan is best for you. When you get a diagnosis, you can ask your doctor to explain your cancer rate.
