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Why do patients with advanced liver cancer experience vomiting?

Nov 29, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Qi Zhirong
Introduction
Late-stage liver cancer vomiting is mainly caused by chemotherapy reactions, stress, drug side effects, electrolyte disturbances, and bile reflux. Chemotherapy drugs kill cancer cells by destroying rapidly dividing cells, but they can also damage the gastrointestinal mucosa, causing nausea and vomiting. The toxic effects of chemotherapy drugs may also interfere with the chemical balance in the brain, activating the vomiting center.

Generally, vomiting in patients with advanced liver cancer is mainly caused by chemotherapy reactions, stress, drug side effects, electrolyte imbalances, bile reflux, and other similar reasons. If discomfort occurs, timely medical attention is recommended. A detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Chemotherapy Reaction

Chemotherapy drugs kill cancer cells by destroying rapidly dividing cells but can simultaneously damage the gastrointestinal mucosa, causing nausea and vomiting. The toxic effects of chemotherapy drugs may also interfere with the chemical balance in the brain, activating the vomiting center. It is recommended to maintain good nutritional status, avoid high-fat foods, and choose easily digestible meals.

2. Stress

Psychological stress and emotional fluctuations can affect the autonomic nervous system, leading to gastrointestinal dysfunction and subsequent nausea and vomiting. It is advisable to manage emotions effectively to alleviate vomiting symptoms.

3. Drug Side Effects

Patients with advanced liver cancer may take multiple medications, some of which have gastrointestinal side effects, such as chemotherapy drugs and targeted therapies, which may cause vomiting. Physicians typically implement preventive measures when administering drugs with gastrointestinal side effects.

4. Electrolyte Imbalance

Patients with advanced liver cancer are prone to electrolyte imbalances due to poor appetite and vomiting. Electrolyte disturbances can affect neuromuscular function and normal gastrointestinal motility, resulting in nausea, vomiting, and possibly diarrhea and abdominal pain. It is recommended to follow medical advice regarding treatment with medications such as calcium gluconate tablets, sodium bicarbonate tablets, and potassium chloride extended-release tablets.

5. Bile Reflux

Bile reflux is often associated with unhealthy eating habits, hepatobiliary diseases, and duodenal ulcers. In advanced liver cancer, tumor compression of the bile duct can obstruct bile excretion, causing bile to flow back into the stomach. Components in bile, such as bile acids and pancreatic enzymes, may irritate the gastric mucosa, triggering inflammation and vomiting, which may be accompanied by epigastric pain, jaundice, and other symptoms. Patients should follow medical advice regarding treatment with medications such as racemic anisodamine tablets, cefixime capsules, and ursodeoxycholic acid capsules.

In daily life, patients should maintain a light diet, eat regularly, avoid overeating, and adopt a pattern of eating smaller meals more frequently to reduce the burden on the stomach.

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