Liver Cancer (Hepatocellular Carcinoma)

Liver Cancer begins in the cells of your liver. The cells become abnormal and then destructive to the normal tissues of the liver and can spread to both areas of the liver and to other surrounding organs. The cells mutate which causes the DNA of the cell to change. The cells lose it's instructions and can begin to grow out of control resulting in a tumor. Liver Cancer is also known as hepatic cancer.

There are many types of liver cancer. The most common being hepatocellular carcinoma. Which originates in the main liver cells known as hepatocytes.

Not all cancers that affect the liver are diagnosed as liver cancer, if the cancer has spread from other organs or areas of the body it is called a metastatic cancer, and will be named after the organ in which it originated.

Symptoms:

• Weight loss
• Decreased appetite
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fatigue and weakness
• Abdominal swelling
• Jaundice of the skin and eyes
• White, chalky stool

The causes of liver cancer can vary. Liver Cancer can develop from a chronic liver disease such as hepatitis.

The diagnosis is made by running several tests such as:

• Blood tests
• Imaging tests
• Biopsy

Your doctor will be able to determine what type and at what stage the cancer is in and whether it has spread. Type IV and type D are the most advanced. 

Treatment will depend on the stage of cancer, the patients overall health and age. Types of treatment include:

• Surgery, either to remove the tumor or a liver transplant
• Localized treatments, these are treatment's that are dispensed directly to the cancer cells. Such as: Heating cancer cells using an instrument containing liquid nitrogen. Injecting alcohol into the cancer cells causing them to die. Or placing beads filled with radiation into the liver.
• Radiation therapy
• Targeted drug treatment
• Palliative care is also used among the other treatments

Alternative medicine may help with the pain management including acupressure, acupuncture, deep breathing exercises, music therapy and massage.

The TCM diagnosis is based on the person's chief complaints, medical history and family history as well as observation. Physical features will be examined such as the person's hair, tongue,face,nails and sputum. Hearing the chest and smelling the sputum and touching to feel the pulse.

From a TCM point of view liver cancer is caused be disharmony in the body. Types of disharmony:

• Spleen deficiency
• Stagnation of QI
• Influence of dampness and heat
• Excessive heat
• Blood stasis
• Yin deficiency

The treatment will be based on the type of disharmony using different decoctions of herbs depending on the area targeted.

Massage benefits for cancer:

Massage will reduce pain, fatigue, nausea, and reduce anxiety and depression. It helps to rebuild hope and to make them feel whole again. Massage will help improve the patients quality of life, mental clarity and sleep. It will also help with scar tissue and range of motion. 

Massage is safe for people in all stages of cancer. Light massage techniques should be used and tumors and treatment areas should be avoided. 

Websites used for reference:

Mayo clinic. Article: Liver Cancer

Cancer council. Article: Massage and cancer key questions

MedicineNet. Article: Liver cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma

Shen-nong.com. Article: Liver Cancer