Symptoms of Liver Cancer One Month Before Death
Disease description:
My uncle has had liver cancer for about a year, and recently it seems like his time is near. He has been hospitalized and is very weak. I would like to ask, what symptoms may appear in the month before the end of life for someone with liver cancer?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Shen Yonghua
The following are common symptoms that may appear in patients with liver cancer during the month before death:
1. General failure: Due to extensive metastasis and large tumor size in advanced liver cancer, severe nutritional deficiency, weight loss, fatigue, lethargy, and even inability to eat may occur, ultimately leading to a severely weakened state.
2. Liver failure: Hepatic encephalopathy may develop, presenting as coma and altered mental status; hepatorenal syndrome can also occur, leading to kidney failure, abdominal distension, and large volume of ascites.
3. Pain: Pain in the liver area may worsen, caused by tumor compression or invasion of surrounding tissues. The pain may be either persistent or episodic.
4. Gastrointestinal symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite may occur, likely due to liver dysfunction and portal hypertension.
5. Jaundice: Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes occurs because damaged liver function impairs bilirubin metabolism, causing it to accumulate in the bloodstream.
6. Bleeding tendency: Nosebleeds, gum bleeding, or easy bruising of the skin may occur because the liver is unable to synthesize sufficient clotting factors.
At this stage, treatment aims to relieve symptoms, improve the patient's quality of life, and provide appropriate psychological support.
