What is the Longest Someone Has Lived with Liver Cancer?

The answer to “What is the longest someone has lived with liver cancer” depends on the stage, treatment, and patient’s overall health. According to a study done by Zhou et. al. in 1989, the longest liver cancer survival was 26 years and 7 months. In a more recent study in 2009, liver cancer survival was more than 20 years. Historically, the longest observed survival years for liver cancer sits at 45 years. To make informed decisions about treatment and management plans, understanding these factors that lead to survival is important.

Key Takeaways

• The longest recorded liver cancer survival is 26 years and 7 months with a highest history of observed survival for 45 years

• Early detection improves survival rates, from 3% when found late to 30% when caught early

• Surgical procedures like resection and transplantation offer the best chance for long-term survival

• 10-year survival for patients who underwent surgical resection varies

• The presence of cirrhosis reduces survival chances compared to patients without cirrhosis.

How is Liver Cancer Survival Measured?

Liver cancer survival is measured in two ways: observed survival rates and relative survival rates. Both of these are analyzed in standard time-periods like 5-year survival or 10-year survival. These are discussed in the following subsections:

What is Observed Survival Rates?

Observed survival rates are the percentage of people diagnosed with liver cancer who survived a specified time period, such as 5 years regardless of the cause of death.

What is Relative Survival Rates?

Relative survival rates are comparative in nature. It compares the survival of liver cancer patients to that of the general population, which isolates the cancer’s impact.

What Does 5-year Survival Rate Mean?

The 5-year survival rate is a percentage of people who are alive within 5 years after being diagnosed with liver cancer. This is basically the same as the observed survival rates discussed earlier.

What is Median Survival and How is it Calculated?

Median survival is the time when half the people diagnosed with liver cancer are still alive and half of them have expired. It is finding the middle point in diagnosed patients, which is sorted by how long they were alive after finding out they had liver cancer.

What Are the Survival Rates for Different Stages of Liver Cancer?

The stage of liver cancer tells you how far the liver cancer has spread in the body from the primary lesion (growth). Staging also directs healthcare providers’ treatment and management plan, which determines the patient’s survival rate as well. The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database has provided statistics on how far the cancer has spread. This is one of the reasons why the answer to the question “what is the longest someone has lived with liver cancer” is difficult to specify.

What is the Survival Rate for Early-Stage Liver Cancer?

When liver cancer is found early and has not spread outside the liver yet, it is called “localized”. The relative survival rate for this stage according to SEER is 37%.

What is the Survival Rate for Regional Liver Cancer?

Regional liver cancer refers to patients whose cancer has invaded the surrounding nearby tissues or lymph nodes. The relative survival rate for this stage is 13%.

What is the Survival Rate for Distant Liver Cancer?

Distant liver cancer refers to patients whose liver cancer has spread on distant organs or other parts of the body. The relative survival rate for this stage is 3%.

What Factors Can Affect Liver Cancer Survival?

According to a study done by Park et. al. in 2013, there are numerous factors that can affect liver cancer survival.

This specific research states that patients with the following profiles have a much higher risk of dying after liver surgery:

• Advanced stage of liver cancer

• Multiple or large tumors

• Poor liver function

• Cancer markers present in the blood

These factors help doctors decide who may benefit from surgery and identify patients who need a different approach.

To simplify, there are specific categories of factors that will affect survival of liver cancer patients:

Tumor-Related Factors:

• Stage at diagnosis

• Tumor size and number

• Vascular invasion

• Serum Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) Levels, which is a tumor marker

• Cancer staging systems like Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC), Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), and even the SEER database

Patient-Related Factors:

• Liver function

• Performance status

• Presence or absence of comorbidities (underlying medical condition apart from the liver cancer)

• Ascites (fluid accumulation in the abdomen)

Treatment-Related Factors

• Curative options

• Recurrence management and treatment

• Access to treatment

Other factors:

• Specific cause of liver disease (e.g., chronic hepatitis B or C infection, heavy alcohol use, and exposure to aflatoxins

• Demographics like sex, race/ethnicity, and presence or absence of rare genetic diseases

Summary of Prognostic Factors

What Role Does Complications Play in Survival?

Many patients with liver cancer have complications like cirrhosis, which happens when there is extensive tissue scarring. This results in poor liver function, which also leads to other manifestations such as:

• Jaundice

• Low proteins

• Dysfunction in clotting

• Extreme tiredness

What Treatments are Available for Liver Cancer and How Do They Impact Survival?

The right treatment makes a significant difference on how long someone lives with liver cancer. Doctors look into established protocols while considering newer and emerging treatments with positive results with research.

How Effective Are Surgical Options Like Resection or Transplantation?

For liver cancer, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma—the most common type, resection and transplantation serve as curative treatments. Their effectiveness is linked on the following:

• Liver function

• Tumor characteristics

• Patient eligibility

Both of these options have nearly identical 5-year overall survival rates—53% for surgery and 52% for transplantation according to a study published in the Annals of Surgery.

But for patients with preserved liver function—score of <10 for Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD), surgical resection is superior to transplantation, with a 5-year survival rate of 63% vs 41%, respectively.

Transplantation, on the other hand, is excellent in reducing recurrence (condition where the disease came back after being disease-free), which offers 5-year recurrence-free survival of 60% vs 45% of resection in the same MELD <10 cases. 

Nonetheless, these findings allow clinical decisions to prioritize resection for patients with compensated cirrhosis and tumors that are within the criteria. Transplantation is reserved for decompensated cirrhosis with high risk of recurrence. Key considerations included in the study include:

• Resection avoids transplant waitlist and complications of immunosuppression

• Transplantation deals with both tumor and underlying liver disease, which minimizes long-term recurrence.

Overall, surgical and transplantation are effective solutions. Resection is the first-line choice particularly for patients with preserved liver function. Transplantation offers disease-free survival for patients with advanced liver disease or increased risk of recurrence.

What are the Outcomes of Non-Surgical Treatments Like Chemotherapy and Radiation?

There are three main cancer treatments:

• Surgery

• Radiotherapy (uses radiation to kill cancer cells)

• Chemotherapy (uses drugs to kill cancer cells)

A study published in the British Journal of Radiology states that surgery was used for 80% of patients who survived for 5 years, either alone or in combination with other treatments. Radiotherapy was used for 39% of these survivors while chemotherapy was used for 29%. About 45% of patients got two treatments while 13% got all three cancer treatments.

Even when the study included all types of cancers (except a specific skin cancer type) and not specific to liver cancer. It shows that combination of treatments is common and is emphasized for well-coordinated cancer management. Radiotherapy remains one of the key treatments with almost 40% of patients surviving in 5 years.

Chemotherapy and radiation, as non-surgical options, are effective treatments that can help in increasing the chances of patient survival.

How Can Patients Improve Their Chances of Surviving Liver Cancer?

Doctors are the ones that will provide the treatment. But the patients can also take steps that will help them live longer even with liver cancer.

What Lifestyle Changes Can Support Liver Cancer Patients?

Lifestyle and dietary changes go a long way when you have liver cancer. 

• Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grain

• Light exercise, such as walking

• Avoid alcohol

• Stop smoking (if you still do)

These small changes can make treatments work better and help your body improve.

What is Early Detection and Regular Screening Important?

Early detection for liver cancer is a very important factor when answering the question “what is the longest someone has lived with liver cancer.” When it is detected early, it is localized at the time of diagnosis making the 5-year survival rate at 37% like discussed previously. This is compared to 3% when the cancer has already spread to distant sights.

People with chronic hepatitis B or C infection have increased risk for developing liver cancer. They should get regular tests like blood work and ultrasound testing. It is important to get periodic follow-up every six months especially when it is localized and treatment is underway.

Conclusion

What is the longest someone has lived with liver cancer? The highest recorded case was up to 45 years. This highlights the importance of early detection, well-coordinated treatment approach, and being proactive with your health by making lifestyle changes. Factors like the stage at diagnosis, liver function, and access to appropriate treatment like transplantation or resection can significantly improve the outcome as well. Early-stage patients have a 37% 5-year survival rate compared to the 3% of distant-stage patients. Medical interventions with health habits, such as balanced diet, physical activity, and avoiding alcohol, help patients enhance their outlook.

If you need regular screening with laboratory tests and evaluation of your liver function, visit Ribbon Checkup for more information.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can liver cancer be cured completely?

Yes, early-stage liver cancer can be cured completely provided that the appropriate treatment and management are done. This, alongside lifestyle and dietary changes that patients do, can improve long-term survival.

Does age affect liver survival rates?

Yes, younger patients tend to have better survival rates than older adults do. This is partly because these patients have fewer health problems and can better tolerate aggressive treatments.

Is liver cancer always fatal?

No, liver cancer is not always fatal. Many people, particularly those diagnosed early, can have longer survival rates or be cured with the right treatment.

Written by Jaclyn P. Leyson-Azuela, RMT, MD, MPH
Jaclyn P. Leyson-Azuela, RMT, MD, MPH, is a licensed General Practitioner and Public Health Expert. She currently serves as a physician in private practice, combining clinical care with her passion for preventive health and community wellness.

 

References

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