K.N.O.W. Home Health - LIVER CANCER

Understanding Liver Cancer

What is Liver Cancer?
Liver cancer is a disease that starts in the liver, which is an organ that helps clean your blood, store energy, and help digest food. Liver cancer can grow slowly or quickly, depending on the type. Sometimes, it can spread to other parts of the body, such as the lungs, bones, or nearby lymph nodes. This spreading is called metastasis.

Symptoms to Watch For

Pay attention to changes in your body. Call your doctor or nurse if you notice:

Pain or swelling in your belly
Unusual bleeding, persistent pain, or sudden swelling
Fever, infections, or changes in appetite or weight
Shortness of breath, coughing, or digestive changes

Tip: Keep a daily log of your symptoms. Write down what you notice and when it happens.

Treatment Overview

Your doctor may recommend one or more treatments:

Surgery: Remove cancer from the liver
Chemotherapy: Medicine to kill cancer cells
Radiation: High-energy beams to destroy cancer cells
Immunotherapy: Medicine that helps your body fight cancer

Possible side effects:

Nausea, tiredness, mouth sores, skin or hair changes
Increased risk of infections if your immune system is weak

Tips for home care:

Take medications exactly as prescribed
Watch for signs of infection like fever, redness, or swelling

Nutrition and Hydration

Eating well helps your body recover:

Choose foods high in protein, vitamins, and calories
Eat small meals often if you feel nauseated or have a low appetite
Drink plenty of fluids and watch for dehydration (dry mouth, dark urine, dizziness)

Activity and Safety

Walk or stretch gently if you feel able
Rest often and pace your activities
Take care to prevent falls, especially if you feel weak or dizzy

Infection Prevention

Wash your hands often
Avoid large crowds if your immune system is low
Call your doctor right away if you notice fever, redness, or swelling

Emotional and Mental Health

It’s normal to feel scared, sad, or stressed
Talk to your family, friends, or caregivers
Ask your nurse or doctor for support groups, counseling, or spiritual support

Follow-Up and Self-Care

Keep all doctor appointments, lab work, and scans
Check your body for changes if appropriate (skin, mouth, or other areas)
Call your nurse or go to the ER for red-flag symptoms, like:
- Chest pain
- Sudden swelling
- Shortness of breath
- Uncontrolled bleeding

Patient Empowerment

Ask questions: “What changes should I call my nurse about?”
Use written instructions or visual aids to remember important care steps
Trusted resources:
- American Cancer Society
- National Cancer Institute

Patient Homework / Assessment: True or False

Choose TRUE or FALSE for each statement.

TRUE or FALSE: Liver cancer starts in the lungs.
TRUE or FALSE: Liver cancer can spread to other parts of the body.
TRUE or FALSE: Slow-growing liver cancer is never dangerous.
TRUE or FALSE: Pain or swelling in the belly can be a symptom of liver cancer.
TRUE or FALSE: Unusual bleeding should be reported to your doctor.
TRUE or FALSE: Fever or infections can be related to liver cancer treatment.
TRUE or FALSE: Keeping a daily symptom log is helpful for your care team.
TRUE or FALSE: Chemotherapy uses medicine to fight cancer cells.
TRUE or FALSE: Radiation uses high-energy beams to destroy cancer cells.
TRUE or FALSE: Skipping your medications is safe if you feel better.
TRUE or FALSE: Eating foods high in protein can help your body recover.
TRUE or FALSE: Eating small, frequent meals can help if you have low appetite.
TRUE or FALSE: Staying hydrated is important during liver cancer treatment.
TRUE or FALSE: Gentle exercise can help maintain strength and reduce fatigue.
TRUE or FALSE: Washing your hands regularly can prevent infections.
TRUE or FALSE: Feeling sad or stressed during cancer treatment is normal.
TRUE or FALSE: You should avoid asking your nurse questions to not bother them.
TRUE or FALSE: Chest pain, shortness of breath, or uncontrolled bleeding should be reported immediately.
TRUE or FALSE: Follow-up appointments, lab work, and scans are not important after liver cancer treatment.
TRUE or FALSE: Resources like the American Cancer Society provide reliable information about liver cancer.

Answer Key with Explanations

FALSE – Liver cancer starts in the liver, not the lungs.
TRUE – Liver cancer can spread to other parts of the body.
FALSE – Slow-growing liver cancer can still be serious and needs treatment.
TRUE – Pain or swelling in the belly is a common symptom.
TRUE – Unusual bleeding is a red-flag symptom that should be reported.
TRUE – Fever and infections can occur, especially if the immune system is weak.
TRUE – A symptom log helps your care team track changes.
TRUE – Chemotherapy uses medicine to kill or slow cancer cells.
TRUE – Radiation uses high-energy beams to target cancer cells.
FALSE – Skipping medications can make cancer harder to treat.
TRUE – Protein-rich foods help your body heal and recover.
TRUE – Small, frequent meals help when appetite is low.
TRUE – Staying hydrated is essential during treatment.
TRUE – Gentle exercise helps maintain strength and reduce fatigue.
TRUE – Handwashing reduces your risk of infection.
TRUE – Emotional stress is normal; support is available.
FALSE – Always ask questions; your nurse expects and welcomes them.
TRUE – These are emergency symptoms that need immediate attention.
FALSE – Follow-up care is critical to monitor progress and catch problems early.
TRUE – Organizations like ACS provide trusted information and support.