1. Carcinoma of the Liver
By: Renee Alta

2. Etiology & Pathophysiology
Primary Carcinoma is rare
Metastatic carcinoma of the liver is more common
The reason the liver is a common site of metastatic growth because amount of blood and capillary network.

3. Metastatic Liver tissue
Healthy liver tissue

4. Clinical Manifestations
In the early stages it is difficult to differentiate cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer because they have many of the same clinical manifestations.
-heptomegaly, weight loss, perirpheral edema, ascites, and portal hypertension.

5. Diagnostic Tests Tests used to assist in the diagnosis are:
A liver scan
Hepatic arteriography
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
Liver biopsy

7. Nursing Interventions
Keep the patient comfortable.
Adequate dietary intake with low sodium
Move patient every two hours
Observe for edema
Monitor I & O’s and measure ankles

8. Medical Management Treatment of Liver cancer is largely palliative.
A lobectomy is sometimes done if the tumor is localized.
Surgery is usually not possible because of the late detection of the disease process.
Chemotherapy may be used but there is usually a poor response.