Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Etiology
Clinical Manifestations
Early stages: symptoms may be absent or may resemble those of the patient
with benign ulcers (eg, pain relieved with antacids)
Progressive disease: symptoms include:
• Indigestion
• Anorexia
• Dyspepsia
• Weight loss
• Abdominal pain
• Constipation
• Anemia
• Nausea and vomiting
• Ascites
Diagnostic Methods
Medical Management
Nursing Interventions
Reducing anxiety
Provide relaxed, nonthreatening atmosphere
Advise about any procedure and treatment
Suggest patient to discuss feelings
Relieving pain
Administer analgesics as prescribed
Assess frequency, intensity and duration of pain to determine effectiveness of
analgesic agent
Suggest non pharmacologic methods for pain relief (eg imagery, distraction,
relaxation tapes, back rubs and massage)
Encourage periods of rest and relaxation.
Cancer of the Liver
• Few cancers originate in the liver
• Primary Liver Tumors
- usually are associated with chronic liver disease, Hepatitis B and C
infections and cirrhosis
- Types:
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is by far the most common type of
primary liver cancer.
Cholangiocellular carcinoma
Combined hepatocellular and cholangiocellular carcinoma.
Etiology
• SEX ( Men are more likely to get hepatocellular cancer than women)
Clinical Manifestations
• Early manifestations include pain (dull ache in the upper right quadrant,
epigastrium or back), recent weight loss, loss of strength, anorexia and anemia
• Liver enlargement and irregular surface may be noted on palpation
• Jaundice is present only if larger bile ducts are occluded
• Ascites occurs if portal veins are obstructed or tumor tissue is seeded in the
peritoneal cavity
Medical Management
Radiation therapy
Intravenous injection of antibodies that specifically attack tumor-associated
antigens
Percutaneous placement of high-intensity source for interstitial radiation therapy
Chemotherapy
Systemic chemotherapy and regional infusion are used to administer
antineoplastic agents
An implantable pump is used to deliver high-concentration chemotherapy to the
liver through hepatic artery
Lobectomy
Removal of the lobe of the liver
Thoracoabdominal incision is used
Liver Transplantation
Removal of the liver and replacement with healthy donor
Patient with small tumor have good prognosis
Nursing Management
Assess problems related to cardiopulmonary involvement, vascular complications
and respiratory and liver dysfunction
Give careful attention to metabolic abnormalities
Encourage early ambulation
Teach patients about signs of complications
Teach irrigation technique to avoid introducing bacteria
Selected Cancers
leukemia
breast
oropharyngeal/ laryngeal
bronchi/ lungs
stomach
liver
prostate
colorectal