This is not a cancer
you hear about frequently, though it is third worldwide after lung and stomach
in the number of deaths each year. It is uncommon in the United States with
three fourths of all cases diagnosed in Southeast Asia, Mozambique and South
Africa.
It is one of the
least common of the metastatic breast cancers with bone cancer being 70% of the
metastases and brain cancer being 10%. The remaining 20% are distributed
between liver, lung and non-specific systemic diseases.
Metastatic
breast cancer-caused liver cancer can show up as a significant weight loss, jaundice
(getting yellow skin – this condition is sometimes seen in newborns (our son
was jaundiced at birth)), and elevated liver enzymes (Inflamed or injured liver
cells leak higher than normal amounts of Alanine transaminase (ALT) [This
enzyme causes certain reactions to happen in the body that provide for cell
energy and brain signal transmission] and Aspartate transaminase (AST) [which
helps in the formation of the amino acids used to make several different body
proteins such as hemoglobin], into the bloodstream). Other symptoms of MBC are abdominal
pain, loss of appetite, fevers, nausea, sweats and vomiting. In some cases,
there are no symptoms.
Tests that may
be done to diagnose liver metastases include a CT (Computer Assisted
Tomography) scan of the abdomen, liver function tests (to check for the
elevated enzymes mentioned above), MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) of the
abdomen, PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scans or ultrasound of the liver
Pain from this
kind of liver cancer responds to chemotherapy and analgesia. Doctors can also
try radiation therapy to relieve pain and shrink the cancers.
How well you do
depends on the location of the original cancer and how much it has spread to
the liver. As recently as January of 2011, doctors have added a new treatment
to the arsenal: Resection (removing parts of the liver affected by the cancer) of
breast cancer liver metastases paid off in a survival benefit in patients with
chemotherapy-responsive, estrogen receptor (ER)-positive primary tumors,
according to data from a retrospective chart review.
“Although the
cases were small in number, they are relevant in the context of changing views
about cancer that metastasizes to the liver…I think there has been a [dramatic
change in thinking] over the past 10 years or so, where it has been realized
that this surgery can lead to long-term survival…I don't think that was
recognized previously…I think there has been something of a nihilistic attitude
toward breast cancer metastasis to other organs in the past…Generally
incurable, most liver metastases from breast cancer are treated with chemotherapy
or hormonal therapy,” said Daniel E. Abbott, MD, of the University of Texas MD
Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. “I think this information is most valuable
when people are willing to counsel patients and make the tougher decisions
about who should and should not have surgery and then let patients make
informed decisions.”
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