Are indigestion, bloating, poor sleep a sign of tumor growth in the liver?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I Le Thien Quang - Internal Oncologist - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Danang International Hospital

1. What is liver cancer?

Liver cancer is of two types:
Primary liver cancer: A cancer caused by the uncontrolled growth of malignant cancer cells in tissues in the liver and forming a liver tumor. Secondary liver cancer: Cancer that originates from other organs in the body other than the liver, but metastasizes to the liver, forming a tumor in the liver and causing liver cancer. There are no studies to prove exactly what is the main cause of liver cancer. However, factors such as: Hepatitis B and C viruses; Addiction to alcohol, tobacco; People who are exposed to toxins (due to chemical contamination during war, toxic working environment...), dirty food of unknown origin... are the causes of increased risk of liver cancer.

2. What are the signs of liver cancer?

In the early stages of the disease, liver cancer symptoms are very faint. Even when the disease is advanced, the patient may still not notice the abnormal manifestation of the tumor. Most tumors are discovered during a routine physical exam or screening for liver disease.
How to detect tumors in the liver early is a question that many people are interested in and plays a very important role in the treatment of the disease later. The following are early warning symptoms that your body may be developing a tumor in the liver.

2.1. Discomfort in the abdomen

Symptoms such as diarrhea, indigestion, flatulence... are signs that are easily confused with symptoms in the digestive tract. However, when using drugs to treat diseases in the digestive tract such as drugs for stomach pain, digestive enzymes, etc., these symptoms cannot be relieved.
Even in the early stages of liver tumor development, a patient may feel a hard lump in the right flank of the abdomen. The size of this hard tumor can increase over time.

2.2. Body aches

Pain can be felt in the right lower quadrant, liver, back, and lumbar region. The level of pain will vary depending on the stage. If in the early stages the pain can be dull but long-lasting that conventional pain relief measures do not work. The cause of pain is believed to be the process of tumor growth, causing certain compression and disturbance of liver function.

2.3. Sleep disorders

Difficulty sleeping, insomnia accompanied by a feeling of dry lips are very general signs of liver cancer and are often overlooked. However, if the patient has additional symptoms of hemophilia such as nosebleeds, bleeding gums, toothache... then these are most likely early warning signs of the development of a mass. tumor in the liver. At this time, the patient should quickly see a specialist for advice and detailed examination.

2.4. Sudden severe pain

Patients with a history of hepatitis B or cirrhosis have a high risk of developing liver cancer. Hepatitis B or cirrhosis has a stable condition for a long time. However, if your body has suddenly experienced severe pain in the liver recently, it is very likely that this is a signal of a tumor that is forming and growing in the liver.
Therefore, when your body shows signs of indigestion, bloating, poor sleep, these are most likely early signs of a tumor developing in the liver. Therefore, when having these symptoms, the patient should go to the hospital to get the doctor's examination and do the necessary tests to help detect liver cancer early.

3. Screening for liver cancer

Screening for liver cancer is the most effective way to help you screen for liver cancer. Early detection of liver cancer can lead to appropriate and timely treatment.
Everyone is at risk for liver cancer, but people at high risk for liver cancer screening include:
People with risk factors for liver cancer - especially people with a family history of liver cancer. People with cirrhosis of the liver from any cause - most often due to viruses, alcohol. Patients with chronic hepatitis B, chronic hepatitis C. Alcoholics or frequent drinkers. People eat spoiled food containing the toxin alfatoxin (caused by mold in peanuts and nuts). Officially put into operation on January 7, 2012, Vinmec has become a prestigious address in liver cancer screening with:
Team of highly qualified and experienced doctors. Comprehensive professional cooperation with domestic and international hospitals: Singapore, Japan, USA, etc. Comprehensive treatment and care for patients, multi-specialty coordination towards individualizing each patient. Having a full range of specialized facilities to diagnose the disease and stage it before treatment: endoscopy, CT scan, PET-CT scan, MRI, histopathological diagnosis, gene-cell testing, .. There are full range of mainstream cancer treatment methods: surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, stem cell transplant...

When registering for the package of screening and early detection of liver cancer, customers will receive:
Examination and consultation with an oncologist through an oncology appointment and a total peripheral blood cell analysis. Assess liver function through tests such as measuring ALT activity (GPT), measuring AST activity (GOT), measuring GGT activity (Gama Glutamyl Transferase), measuring total Bilirubin. Screening for hepatitis B and C virus infection by rapid HBs Ag test and Anti HCV rapid test. Screening for liver cancer through the quantitative test of AFP (Alpha Fetoproteine). Screening for liver cancer by abdominal ultrasound.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.