Liver Cancer Misdiagnosis Compensation Claims Solicitors.

The liver is able to function relatively well even when part of it is not working as it should be, so symptoms of liver cancer often don’t appear in the early stages. When symptoms do appear, they can be quite vague and are often similar to other conditions, giving rise to misdiagnosis.

The key symptoms of liver cancer include:

• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Unintentional weight loss
• Fatigue and weakness
• Pain/discomfort in the liver and/or abdomen
• Itchy/irritated skin
• Generally feeling unwell
• Dark coloured urine
• Pale grey coloured stools
• The onset of jaundice
• Fine spider-patterned blood vessels

If you experience any of these symptoms it’s important to speak to your GP as soon as possible so that they can assess you and refer you for further investigation where necessary.

There are four different types of liver cancer that an individual could suffer from:

• Hepatocellular Carcinoma – This type of cancer forms in the hepatocytes, which are the main kind of cell within the liver. It is the most common form of liver cancer, and can either present as one single tumour, or it can affect several spots in the liver.
• Cholangiocarcinoma – This type of cancer begins in the bile ducts, the small tubes which carry bile to the gallbladder.
• Angiosarcomas and Hemangiosarcomas – These types of cancer form in the blood vessels of the liver, and the resulting tumour grows at a fast pace, meaning it is often difficult to be removed successfully.
• Hepatoblastoma – This is a rare form of liver cancer which usually affects very young children and is treatable when it is detected early enough.

The severity of liver cancer is ranked according to the seriousness of the condition and the likelihood of the patient responding to treatment, and is classified into stages as follows:

• Stage 0 – The tumour measures less than 2cm in diameter and there are no detrimental effects experienced on the liver function.
• Stage 1 – This is either a single tumour measuring less than 5cm in diameter, or between one and three smaller tumours measuring 3cm, with no adverse effects on the liver function.
• Stage 2 – Multiple tumours are detected within the liver, but the function of the liver is not detrimentally affected.
• Stage 3 – Any of the above situations apply, but the patient is also suffering from reduced function of the liver, and the cancer has spread to the blood vessels, nearby lymph nodes, or other parts of the body.
• Stage 4 – Liver function is minimal, and the patient shows signs of end-stage liver disease, which includes the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen (ascites).

As the second largest organ in the body, the liver is responsible for carrying out a number of complex and vital tasks, such as storing nutrients, producing bile, producing proteins, converting fat into energy, and helping the blood to clot.

There are a number of factors which could potentially increase the risk of developing liver cancer, including:

• Liver cirrhosis – This is scarring on the liver due to damage from infection, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, long term alcohol use, or primary biliary cirrhosis, and can impact the way in which the liver functions.
• Lifestyle factors – Smoking, being overweight, and consuming alcohol excessively can all cause damage to the liver and increase the risk of cancer developing.
• Hepatitis viruses – Being infected with the hepatitis B or C virus over a long period can damage the liver and drinking alcohol whilst suffering with hepatitis can further increase the risk of developing cancer.
• HIV or AIDS – Those with HIV or AIDS typically have lowered levels of immunity, thus are less able to fight off infections and illnesses that could lead to cirrhosis.
• Diabetes – Higher insulin levels, plus the damage that may be caused to the liver due to diabetes, can increase the risk of developing liver cancer.
• Gallstones – Those who have had gallstones or have had their gallbladder removed may have an increased risk of developing liver cancer.
• Chemical exposure – Those who are exposed to certain industrial chemicals, including vinyl chloride, trichloroethylene, and arsenic, have a higher risk of developing cancer.
• Family history – The likelihood of developing liver cancer is increased if a family member has previously had the condition. This could be due to a genetic predisposition, or shared lifestyle and environmental factors.

The treatment prescribed for liver cancer will usually depend on the type and the stage the disease has reached when the diagnosis is made, but it will typically include some of the following:

• Surgery – If caught early, it may be possible to remove just the part of the liver in which the tumour has formed, leaving behind the healthy part of the liver. If the cancer has spread throughout the liver, a full transplant may be necessary.
• Trans arterial chemoembolisation (TACE) – This is a type of chemotherapy which is fed directly into the blood vessel feeding the tumour. It works by reducing the blood supply to the tumour, thus starving it of oxygen and slowing its growth.
• Radiotherapy – Radiation is used to kill cancer cells, and this method tends to be used to slow the growth of the cancer once it has spread beyond the liver.
• Thermal ablation – This is the use of heat to destroy the tumour and works best for small cancers that haven’t spread outside of the liver.
• Targeted cancer drugs – These work in a number of different ways; they can trigger the immune system to attack the cancer cells, or to suppress the cells and stop them from growing. Some drugs can also prevent the tumour from developing blood vessels.

If you feel that the treatment you were prescribed for your liver cancer was not suitable and that your doctor was negligent in their decision, you may be able to claim compensation. Our friendly and knowledgeable team can offer advice and guidance so please don’t hesitate to contact us.