Can liver cancer cause jaundice?

May 17, 2023 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Jin Zhongkui
Introduction
Liver cancer often presents with jaundice. Jaundice refers to the yellowing of the skin, mucous membranes, and eyes due to excessive accumulation of bilirubin in the body. Liver cancer is a malignant tumor originating from hepatocytes or bile duct cells, which disrupts normal liver function. As liver cancer grows, it may directly invade hepatocytes, leading to hepatocellular damage and necrosis.

Jaundice commonly occurs in liver cancer. The detailed analysis is as follows:

Jaundice refers to the yellow discoloration of the skin, mucous membranes, and eyes due to excessive deposition of bile pigments in the body. Liver cancer is a malignant tumor originating from hepatocytes or bile duct cells, which disrupts normal liver function. As liver cancer grows, it may directly invade liver cells, causing hepatocellular damage and necrosis. When liver cells are damaged, the synthesis and excretion of bile are impaired, leading to jaundice. Additionally, liver cancer may obstruct the bile ducts, impeding bile flow and thereby causing jaundice. Therefore, liver cancer can lead to jaundice.

In cases of early-stage liver cancer, surgical treatment is often possible. Surgery can effectively control the progression of liver cancer and alleviate jaundice symptoms. For patients with advanced liver cancer, adjuvant therapies such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy can also help control tumor growth and relieve jaundice. If liver cancer causes biliary obstruction, procedures such as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) or percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) are required to relieve the biliary obstruction.


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