When healthy liver cells are damaged, they may begin to grow out of control and develop into cancer. When this happens, the abnormal cells can spread to nearby tissues and organs through blood vessels or lymph nodes. This process is called metastasis. The cells can also spread to distant parts of the body through these same pathways. Liver cancer that has reached stage 4 is considered metastatic, meaning it has spread from the liver to other parts of the body.
Symptoms of metastatic liver cancer can vary depending on the part of the body where the new tumors develop. Those symptoms can include fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain and jaundice. The condition can also lead to other problems such as fluid buildup (ascites), bleeding in the intestines, weight loss and fever.
If a person is diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer, he or she will undergo a series of tests to determine the extent of the disease. These may include blood tests to check how well the liver is working and for cancer markers such as alpha-fetoprotein. In addition, a doctor may conduct a liver biopsy. This is a procedure in which a sample of the liver tissue is removed for testing.
A diagnosis of stage 4 liver cancer can be devastating for patients and their loved ones. It is important for those who are affected to have a support system in place and seek out information about the next steps. Some of these steps may include joining a support group, seeking out educational resources and finding ways to improve emotional wellness.
Although stage 4 liver cancer is not curable, treatment can help reduce the severity of symptoms and slow progression. Some of these treatments include taking a pill that targets the protein that fuels cancer growth, such as sorafenib (Nexavar) or nivolumab (Opdivo).
Some doctors may recommend surgery to remove as much of the liver as possible. Others may suggest radiation therapy such as stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) or a combination of these and medication. These medications could include regorafenib (Stivarga), cabozantinib (Cabometyx) and ramucirumab (Cyramza).
In some cases, doctors will use chemotherapy to treat stage 4 liver cancer. These can be given by mouth or intravenously. Patients who are not a good candidate for other treatments should be evaluated for participation in a clinical trial that is being conducted on new treatments for liver cancer.
The five-year survival rate for stage 4 liver cancer is 3%, but this number can fluctuate. Individuals should work closely with their medical teams to understand their prognosis and the best options for care. Those who are diagnosed with this stage of cancer should also report any new or unexplained symptoms to their doctors. These symptoms can indicate the presence of another health issue, such as infection or a flare-up of cancer.
