Transcript Carcinoma of the Liver

Carcinoma of
the Liver
By: Renee Alta
Etiology &
Pathophysiology
 Primary Carcinoma is rare
 Metastatic carcinoma of the liver is more
common
 The reason the liver is a common site of
metastatic growth because amount of blood
and capillary network.
Metastatic Liver tissue
Healthy liver tissue
Clinical Manifestations
In the early stages it is difficult to differentiate
cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer because
they have many of the same clinical
manifestations.
-heptomegaly, weight loss, perirpheral
edema, ascites, and portal hypertension.
Diagnostic Tests
 Tests used to assist in the diagnosis are:
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A liver scan
Hepatic arteriography
Endoscopic retrograde
cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
Liver biopsy
Nursing Interventions
 Keep the patient comfortable.
 Adequate dietary intake with low sodium
 Move patient every two hours
 Observe for edema
 Monitor I & O’s and measure ankles
Medical Management
 Treatment of Liver cancer is largely palliative.
 A lobectomy is sometimes done if the tumor is
localized.
 Surgery is usually not possible because of the late
detection of the disease process.
 Chemotherapy may be used but there is usually a
poor response.