What is the role of using albumin in advanced liver cancer?

Sep 23, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Gao Jun

Introduction

In general, the use of albumin in advanced liver cancer serves to correct hypoalbuminemia, assist in controlling ascites, improve coagulation function, reduce tissue edema, and enhance the body's tolerance to treatment. Albumin is considered a symptomatic supportive therapy in advanced liver cancer and should be used strictly according to clinical indications. It should only be administered when hypoalbuminemia is clearly present or when accompanied by severe ascites or edema, and should not be given indiscriminately.

In general, the use of albumin in advanced liver cancer serves several purposes, including correcting hypoalbuminemia, assisting in controlling ascites, improving coagulation function, reducing tissue edema, and enhancing the body's tolerance to treatment. The specific effects are analyzed as follows:

1. Correcting hypoalbuminemia: In advanced liver cancer, extensive liver cell damage significantly reduces the liver’s ability to synthesize albumin. Additionally, protein loss due to complications such as ascites or gastrointestinal bleeding can lead to hypoalbuminemia. Supplementing albumin directly increases plasma albumin levels, maintains plasma colloid osmotic pressure, and reduces fluid leakage from blood vessels.

2. Assisting in controlling ascites: Hypoalbuminemia is a major contributor to ascites in advanced liver cancer. Reduced plasma colloid osmotic pressure promotes fluid leakage into the abdominal cavity. Administering albumin increases colloid osmotic pressure, facilitating the reabsorption of fluid from the abdominal cavity back into the bloodstream. When combined with diuretics, this approach more effectively reduces ascites, alleviates symptoms such as abdominal distension and shortness of breath, and improves patients' quality of life.

3. Improving coagulation function: Albumin helps improve coagulation by maintaining vascular endothelial integrity and modulating the activity of coagulation factors. Patients with advanced liver cancer often develop coagulopathy due to liver failure, increasing the risk of complications such as gastrointestinal bleeding. Albumin supplementation can indirectly reduce bleeding risk and create safer conditions for subsequent treatments.

4. Reducing tissue edema: Besides ascites, hypoalbuminemia in advanced liver cancer may also cause lower limb edema and pulmonary edema. Albumin increases intravascular colloid osmotic pressure, promoting the reabsorption of interstitial fluid and relieving organ compression caused by edema. This is particularly effective in alleviating respiratory distress due to pulmonary edema and maintaining stable respiratory function.

5. Enhancing the body’s tolerance to treatment: Advanced liver cancer patients are often weakened by malnutrition and complications, making it difficult to tolerate anti-tumor therapies such as chemotherapy or targeted therapy. Albumin supplementation improves nutritional status, enhances treatment tolerance, reduces treatment-related adverse reactions, and helps patients better complete their treatment courses.

Albumin is considered a symptomatic supportive therapy in advanced liver cancer. Its use should strictly follow clinical indications and be limited to cases with confirmed hypoalbuminemia or significant ascites and edema. Indiscriminate administration should be avoided.

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