It's normal to feel scared and shocked when you or someone you know has colon cancer and then learn that it has spread to the liver. Doctors call this stage metastatic cancer, or stage IV cancer. Sometimes the cancer may have spread to the liver when it's first diagnosed. Or, the cancer may come back and spread to the liver after treatment. It's natural to feel scared when you hear this, but don't worry. With today's advanced treatments, you can control your symptoms, improve your quality of life, and help you live longer. Today, we'll talk about this in more detail.
What are the symptoms of this condition?
Symptoms can vary depending on the size of the cancer and where it has spread in the body. Surprisingly, some people do not experience any symptoms even if their colon cancer has spread to the liver. However, there are some common symptoms that can be seen.
The important thing is that these symptoms can also be seen in other medical conditions. So don't be afraid to have one or more of these. The best thing to do is to see your doctor and get advice.
The table below shows some of the most common symptoms.
| Symptom | Description |
|---|---|
| Blood in the stool | Dark or red blood mixed in the stool. |
| Pain on the right side of the stomach | Since the liver is located on the upper right side of the abdomen, you may experience strange pain or discomfort in that area. |
| Swelling | The stomach protrudes forward due to swelling of the liver or fluid in the stomach. |
| Constant tiredness and lethargy | Feeling extremely tired, fatigued, and sick for no reason. |
| Sudden weight loss | Rapid weight loss without any effort. |
How to accurately diagnose the disease?
To find out for sure if your colon cancer has spread to your liver, your doctor will do a few tests. First, they will ask you a few questions. Then, they will order some blood tests to check your liver function and some scans to see exactly where the cancer is and how big it is.
| Test | Simply put... |
|---|---|
| CT Scan (Computed Tomography) | This is a powerful type of X-ray. It can take clear, detailed pictures of the inside of the body. |
| MRI scan (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) | It uses strong magnets and radio waves to produce very clear images of the body's organs and tissues. |
| PET scan (Positron Emission Tomography) | A radioactive substance is injected into the body to identify areas where diseased cells, such as cancer cells, are present. |
| Liver biopsy (examination of a small piece of the liver) | The doctor takes a very small piece of tissue from the liver and examines it under a microscope to see if it contains cancer cells. |
What are the treatment options?
The important thing to understand here is that even if the cancer has spread to the liver, those cancer cells are still colon cancer cells , not liver cancer cells. Therefore, you will be treated the same way as you would for colon cancer. You may need to have one or more treatments at the same time.
Surgery
Whenever possible, the main treatment is to remove the cancer with surgery. The surgeon tries to remove as much of the cancer as possible from the liver and colon. If there is only one cancer in the liver, the chances of survival after surgery are very high.
Chemotherapy
This is what we all know as 'chemo'. Chemo can be given before surgery to shrink the cancer cells so they can be removed more easily. Chemo can also be given after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy X-rays to destroy cancer cells. It is used if surgery cannot remove the tumor or to reduce symptoms.
- Radioembolization: In this, tiny radioactive beads are sent through the bloodstream into the arteries that supply blood to the liver cancer. These go there and release radiation only where the cancer is.
- Brachytherapy: In this, small radioactive materials are sent directly into the tumor using a tube and left there for a few minutes.
Targeted Therapies
These are new, advanced drugs. Unlike regular chemo, these drugs directly target specific molecules that help cancer cells grow and spread. This causes less damage to healthy cells. Cetuximab (Erbitux) and Bevacizumab (Avastin) are two such drugs.
Immunotherapy
This is also a very advanced treatment. Simply put, these drugs help your body's own immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. Nivolumab (Opdivo) and Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) are examples of these drugs.
How should you take care of yourself?
Living with cancer is a huge battle, both physically and mentally. It's essential that you take good care of yourself during this time.
- Rest and sleep: Get plenty of rest to combat fatigue.
- Nutrition: During treatment, it can be difficult for your body to absorb nutrients. Therefore, ask your doctor to see a dietitian. They can help you create a meal plan that will provide you with the calories and nutrients you need.
- Mental health: This is very important. Talk to a trusted friend or family member about your feelings, fears, and anxieties. They may not know how to help you. So tell them what you need. Ask, "I'm feeling down today. Would you mind listening to me for a moment?" Ask your doctor about counselors and social workers who can help you.
Take-Home Message
- It's normal to feel scared when you learn that your colon cancer has spread to your liver. However, with today's treatments, there is hope.
- This condition is treated like colon cancer, not like liver cancer.
- The main goal of treatment is to control the cancer, reduce symptoms, and help you live longer with a good quality of life .
- Talk openly with your doctor about everything. Ask about your questions and fears.
- During treatment, it's important to take good care of yourself, both physically and mentally. Focus on nutrition, rest, and mental well-being.
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