By Brijesh Ghelani

Liver cancer is differentiated from other cancers which invade the liver from other parts of the body in that it starts in the liver itself. It consists of malignant growths that grow in or on the liver itself.

The first form of liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma. This is usually found in children and young people. The prognosis is that the victim usually lives from three to six months after the cancer is discovered.

Symptoms of this kind of cancer include abdominal masses, abdominal pain, vomiting, anemia, that is a decrease in the amount of red blood cells that would usually be found in the body, back pain, jaundice, unexplainable weight loss and fever.

Treatments for this can be a partial hepatectomy, that is a partial removal of the liver, a liver transplant, cyroablation, that is using extreme cold to remove the tissue, chemotherapy, and some sort of radiotherapy.

Hepatoblastoma is another form of this cancer which usually attacks children.

Treatments for this form of cancer include liver transplant, partial removal of the liver, various forms of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Cholangiocarcinoma is the form of cancer that is accountable for one or two percent out of every ten liver cancers. It usually forms in the bile ducts, which are the small tubes responsible for carrying bile to the intestines.

Symptoms of this kind of cancer are jaundice, abdominable pain, unexplainable weight loss and an enlargement of the liver.

Treatments for this form of cancer include such methods as photodynamic therapy, that is using a combination of a photosensitizer, light and tissue oxygen, various forms of radiation therapy and liver transplant.

Angiosarcoma and hemangiosarcoma are two forms of liver cancer which start in the blood vessels of the liver. By the time that they are discovered, they are usually too far advanced to be combated and the victim usually dies within a year or so after the discovery of the malignancy.

In the case of either of these kind of cancers, rather than combating the cancers, medications are given to help the victim to enjoy the quality of the life that is left to them, combating the sickness that they feel and in some cases being able to prolong the length of the time they have left to live.

Liver cancer, in all of its various forms, is a nasty thing; don't let it dirty you up. See to it that you and your family follow your doctor's recommended schedule for regular checkups. Don't let liver cancer take away your life.

By Eddy S. Lee

Liver cancer is a kind of tumor that affects the liver area. This type of cancer is otherwise called as hepatoma or primary liver cancer. The cancer in the liver is the most common type of cancer found among people in western countries. Liver cancer is the deadly type of cancer, which could never be cured in most cases. People affected with cancer in the liver will have a shorter life span of around one.

Liver cancer is categorized into two different types. They are the primary liver tumor and the secondary liver tumor. Primary liver tumor is not commonly found, whereas the secondary liver cancer is found almost in larger groups of people. In this type of secondary liver tumor, the cancer cells spread from various other parts distressing the liver.

Primary liver cancer is not mostly found among people. This type of cancer will greatly trouble the people and create a crucial situation. This type of cancer could be caused due to the intake of toxic and noxious food stuffs. Hepatitis B affected people will have greater chance of getting affected by primary liver tumor.

Secondary liver cancer is the major type of cancer in the liver this is most often found among the people in western countries. In this type, the cancer cells spread from various other parts of the body affecting the liver. This type of tumor is known as Metastasis.

Liver cancer can be rarely cured through surgery. The surgical method could be handled only by depending upon the following perspectives:

• The type of cancer and where it has been rightly positioned
• How deeper the cancer is far-flung in the liver
• How good the other functionalities of a liver is working

People with cancer in the liver will experience several signs and symptoms, which includes:

• Massive weight loss which could never be described
• Loss of appetite in short time
• Overfed even after taking a small food
• Heavy pain in the abdomen
• Enlarged and swollen abdomen
• Face turns pale
• Discharge of dark urine
• High sweat
• Increased temperature

If you experience these signs and indications, it is important to consult your physician! Treating cancer in the initial stage gives the possibility for cure and moreover it is good to make regular check-up. Some individuals might have not experienced these symptoms in the early stage of the disease, and at this point it becomes difficult to examine the disease and treat it.

By Chris Teo, Ph.D.

PC, 63-year-old female, had coughs for about three weeks. Then she developed fevers. She went to a hospital but the doctor could not find any wrong with her. She was sent home with a supply of Panadol (paracetamol). Not satisfied, PC went to a private hospital in Ipoh. A chest X-ray showed left pleural effusion (i.e. fluid in her left lung). The fluid was tapped out. An ultrasonography on 23 September 2009 showed a 2.6 cm lesion (suggestive of hepatoma or liver cancer) in the right lobe. In addition, there was underlying liver cirrhosis with portal hypertension and ascites. The spleen is enlarged. Biopsy of the lesion was not advisable in view of ascites, low platelet and the tumour site too deep and adjacent to the portal vein.
PC was asked to go home. There would be no treatment for her. She was also told that she had only two months to live. Four days later, 27 September 2009, PC came to CA Care for help. She presented with the following:

 Difficulty sleeping
 Poor appetite
 Tiredness
 A bit of difficulty in breathing
 Feeling of "muscle pull" in the chest once a while.

PC came to see us after being told by one of our patients who had been doing well with our herbs. We prescribed PC with Capsule A and B, Lung 1 and Lung 2 teas, Liver 1 and Liver 2 teas. We reminded her that after taking the herbs for a few days, she might feel tired, have diarrhea, etc. This is a healing crisis and there is nothing to worry about - continue taking the herbs. These are natural herbs with no additives. They have to be brewed. The taste and smell of the concoction are not going to be pleasant. PC replied: "If I want to get well, I have to drink them!"

Two months on the herbs, PC came back and told us that both her sleep and appetite had improved. Similarly her breathing had also improved. There was no more feeling of "muscle pull" in her chest. One year and four months later, on 14 January 2011, PC was still well.

Comments

After one and half years, PC was doing fine. Her blood test results did not show deterioration of her condition although some numbers are not good. Platelet count is low and we advised PC to take papaya leaf tea for a month or two. After that, go for another blood test. Hopefully her platelets will increase. PC is not keen to drink this tea because of its bitter taste!

Like most patients, PC is more interested to see if she can reduce the daily intake of her herbal teas! As much as we understand that it is really "difficult, bothering or even sickening" having to drink the awful tasting herbal concoctions, we told PC that she has no choice but to continue doing what she is doing. No change!

We have to remind PC of what happened when she went to see her doctors in September 2009. She was told that there would be no treatment for her. Just go home. She has only two months to live. Now PC has survived one and a half years without any problem. She is able to sleep well, her appetite is good and there is no pain. Life has been good all the while. What more can she ask for? We reminded PC that she must learn to be grateful and thankful for what she is now. Taking "bitter" herbs is a small price to pay for being alive - and good life too!

Our message to PC and to all patients: Be well behaved if you want to live longer! And there is no point being alive if you think that drinking herbal teas is an intolerable chore. And above all, learn to be thankful and grateful for what you have and what you are.

By Chris Teo, Ph.D.

Mutu (not real name,H520) is a 48-year-old male. In November 2010 he had coughs with some phlegm. In late December 2010 he was admitted into a private hospital with complaints of right hypochondrial pain (i.e., pain under the rib-cage margin). He was nauseated but no vomiting. He also had post prandial dyspepsia (i.e., a medical term meaning feeling of unusual fullness, nausea, loss of appetite or belching following a meal).

CT scan of the abdomen showed multiple masses measuring 7.3 x 5.1 cm, 6.3 x 6.1 cm and 7.3 x 4.5 cm, in the right lobe of his liver, suggestive of diffuse hepatocellular carcinoma or liver metastases. A biopsy was performed on 23 December 2010 and confirmed moderately differentiated infiltrating liver cancer. A blood test results, done on 19 January 2011, showed elevated liver function values. His alpha-fetoprotein (liver cancer marker) stood at 1,024,332.0.

Mutu was prescribed Nexavar - an oral chemo-drug that cost about RM20,000 per month. He was told that Nexavar would not cure his cancer. It would only control it (whatever that means, see discussion later).

After taking Nexavar for a week, he suffered the following side effects:

1. Bloatedness
2. Shoulder muscle pain
3. Sleeping difficulty
4. Nausea and sometimes vomiting
5. Dizzy when walking
6. Loss of appetite due to bloatedness
7. Cramps of fingers and toes
8. Constipation

Comments

Let me highlight some of the important points of this case in a question-and-answer format.

1. Assuming for a moment that you are a medical expert. I believe you have seen hundreds or thousands of CT scans and blood test results. From your experience, what can you make out of this case by just looking at the scans and blood test results? The images are bad and the AFP (alpha-fetoprotein) exceeded a million points. Honestly, is a biopsy really necessary? So, after a biopsy, what can you offer to "cure" the patient?

2. It appears that all that modern medicine can offer is Nexavar. Would you as an expert offer this drug to the patient knowing that it cost about RM 20,000 per month and it does not cure? I guess you would if the patient is rich enough to pay for it or if his insurance covers the cost. This is a win-win situation you may say. After all this is what buying a health insurance is for! But hang on. In this case what if Mutu's total medical cover is limited, assuming it is RM 100,000? That means the insurance pays for only five months' supply of Nexavar. What happens after that? And within 8 to 11 months patients just die anyway(see point 4 below)?

3. As an expert, would you admit to your patient that Nexavar cannot cure his cancer? Yes, you did in this case. That is honorable of you. Obviously not many patients are going to pay that kind of money if there is no cure. You justified by saying that Nexavar can control it. That sounds good, convincing and heroic isn't it? Especially if the patient is desperate and helpless. Such patients need that "last straw". But what do you really mean by control?

4. Have you gone into the website of the drug company that sells Nexavar? If you do, you may find this very impressive table with equally impressive so-called "scientific" data.

- In a study of 602 people... Nexavar helped slow cancer growth and helped extend the lives of patients compared with patients who did not receive Nexavar.
- Nexavar extended overall survival by 44%.

For the benefit of those who are not used to reading and interpreting research data, let me explain a bit more. From the research data, we know that there were 299 patients taking Nexavar (n= 299) and the median overall survival is 10.7 months. Compare this to 303 patients who did not take Nexavar (group called Placebo, n = 303) which had a median overall survival of 7.9 months.

The glaring facts of this study showed that:

- By taking Nexavar patients lived longer by 2.8 months. Take note that they were not cured at all. Eventually patients died. The median survival ranged from about 8 to 11 months, irrespective of whether they take Nexavar or not.

So based on the above experimental data, ask this question. Would you spend RM 20,000 per month and for every month, to live 3 months longer? Again, take note that the price of Nexavar varies - depending on where you buy it and whether you pay cash or pay through insurance claim. Obviously the price is higher when your insurance pays for it.

Of course, if this point is crudely presented like I did above, extending life by 2.8 months is not impressive at all! The educated people devised a better way of saying things in a nicer, attractive but deceptive way. Another way of saying is: Nexavar extended overall survival by 44%. Increasing survival by 44% is very impressive indeed.

Mark Twain (of the USA) made famous this phrase: "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics." This phrase is now used to describe " the use of statistics to bolster weak arguments, and the tendency of people to disparage statistics that do not support their positions". In simple language, the statisticians (the experts of numbers) "massage" the data to make what seems ugly to look pretty. Take note also this "manipulation or massage" of data is not wrong - it is academically legitimate!

So take it from me that "Extending life by 2.8 months" or "Extending overall survival by 44%" are both right and academically acceptable. Unfortunately I still cannot figure out how they come up with the 44 percentage figure. I need a bit more time to learn this "art of stretching the truth with numbers."

With a simple mind like common folks, I would have just do this: I would take 10.7 minus 7.9 = 2.8. Then I would divide 2.8 by 7.9 and multiple by 100 to convert it into a percentage. If I did this, I ended up with only 35%. To avoid having to explain "the confusing concept of statistics" let us give the benefit of the doubt to the experts and the drug manufacturer and accept what they say: Nexavar extended overall survival by 44%.

But folks let's concentrate on what matters most. You can choose between these two "options" below. But know that both mean the same thing!

- As a patient if you are told that Nexavar can extend survival by 44%, what would be your reaction?
- On the other hand, if you are told that Nexavar can extend your life by only 2.8 months, what would be your reaction?

Having got over this, what if you are clearly told that the extension of survival by 2.8 months is no free lunch. Apart from having to pay RM 20,000 per month, there are a variety of side effects you may have to endure. In this case, Mutu suffered eight side effects after consuming Nexavar for a week.

But don't fault the drug company. You have been forewarned. Patients taking Nexavar may suffer the following side effects (according to the company's website):

1. Decreased blood flow to the heart and heart attack.
2. Bleeding problems. Nexavar may increase your chance of bleeding.
3. High blood pressure.
4. A skin problem called hand-foot skin reaction. This causes redness, pain, swelling, or blisters on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet.
5. Perforation of the bowel.
6. Possible wound healing problems. You may need to have a surgical or dental procedure.
7. Birth defects or death of an unborn baby.
8. Rash, redness, itching, or peeling of your skin
9. Hair thinning or patchy hair loss
10. Diarrhea
11. Nausea or vomiting
12. Mouth sores
13. Weakness
14. Loss of appetite
15. Numbness, tingling, or pain in your hands and feet
16. Abdominal pain
17. Fatigue
18. Weight loss

5. Solutions?

The lady was indeed sharp. She asked me: "Then, that are the solutions?" I must admit I cannot guarantee any cure. We know that in cancer there is no such thing as a cure (meaning, real cure, not just surviving 5 years). In the case of advanced liver cancer, we all know that survival is only in terms of months. So, we are faced with a difficult case. This is the first time that a patient came in with his alpha-fetoprotein reading well over a million. The highest we have ever seen in 14 years is about half that value.

We have two suggestions for Mutu.

a) Take care of your diet. He was given a list of food that he can and cannot eat. Unfortunately this list is way off the mark compared to our recommendation.

b) Take herbs and hope for the best. If a patient has no pain, can eat and sleep - these are about all we can hope for. How long to live is not ours to decide.

It is up to Mutu to decide if he wants to continue taking the Nexavar and reap whatever benefits (and also side effects) that are associated with it. But ask this: Is it worth it?

Some of you may say: Aah, you snake oil peddler - you and your herbs and dietary fad - these are just quackery. They are not proven and not scientific. Hang on, before you cast the first stone, take time to read some of our success stories. Tell us where we go wrong if you think that we are wrong!

By Mert Ozge

In our world today, most people are very particular in looks, how an object or place seems like. Cleanliness and tranquility is a major plus for any person or organization. Businessmen look upon how sturdy and elegant a company building looks like in order for them to determine if they would invest in the organization or not. Cleaning is an integral part of any system. Even in our own body, a part of it detoxifies our blood from harmful elements cleaning our system in the process. The liver is an integral part of any vertebrate. Without it functioning properly, we may be poisoned and die. One disease that can occur in our liver is liver cancer, which is one of the deadliest diseases on the world today. This kind of cancer is not limited to adults but can also be found in children. Liver cancer survival rate is higher in children than most adults.

Liver cancer survival rate are relatively high than other forms of cancer. There are two types of this kind of cancer that could easily be treated or removed. At an early stage there is a 90 percent chance of survival of a patient with a stage one liver cancer with a percentage rate of 70 that are complete cures. Another source of this malignant disease is when malignant cells from other tumors start to spread; it usually affects the liver since the liver one organ that blood needs to go through to be detoxified. After the cancer cells start to expand in the liver, it may further lead to more fatal liver diseases.

Liver cancer survival rate is better than other types of cancers. We shouldn't be afraid of this disease because if treated and detected early we have a huge chance of ridding our body of the malignant cells. Cancer is not something we should be scared of. We must believe that if there is hope then there is a solution to every problem there is in this world. We shouldn't give up on something because behind every dark cloud is a ray of light waiting to be seen.

By Ally Woodrum

of the liver is a fairly rare disease, with approximately 16,000 diagnosed cases in the U.S. per year. Primary liver cancer occurs when the disease begins in the liver, which is actually very rare. The most common type of liver cancer is metastatic or secondary. Metastatic liver cancer occurs when cancer cells from another part of the body spread (or metastasize) to the liver. Because there is a tumor in the body that has already spread or metastasized, this disease is very deadly. Do liver cancer alternative treatments exist? Yes.

Natural and alternative treatments for cancer of the liver or any other cancer target the immune system and the whole body. This is because all cancer is a failure of the immune system, for some reason it has not done its job of finding and killing cancerous cells.

Everyone has cancerous cells in his or her body at all times, they occur when a cell has been damaged and its DNA mutates. When this damaged cell divides and replicates itself, the damaged DNA is also replicated, and the new cell is a cancerous cell. The immune system is programmed to find and destroy these mutated cells. and normally does this job very effectively.

If the immune system is weak or has also been damaged, some of the cancerous cells may not be destroyed, and they will continue to replicate. Eventually a tumor will form. So the first priority of alternative cancer treatment is to strengthen and boost the immune system so it can function properly. This is normally done through dietary changes and the addition of different types of supplements.

Many people do not know that there are also specialized alternative cancer clinics that use cutting edge equipment, drugs and procedures to treat cancer. These clinics are located mainly in Mexico and Germany, although there are a handful in the U.S. Liver cancer alternative treatments in these clinics can be very effective.

If you have been diagnosed with any this disease, especially secondary or metastatic liver cancer, start boosting your immune system by improving your diet immediately while you research your treatment options. Pay special attention to the treatments available at alternative cancer clinics, especially those in Germany and Mexico.