Liver Cancer Pain

For people with liver cancer, pain associated with the disease can result from the tumor itself or as a side effect of treatment. Doctors can help patients manage or relieve pain associated with liver cancer by using medication, radiation treatment, or nerve blocks. Also, the healthcare team may suggest alternative ways to manage liver cancer pain, which may include relaxation techniques, acupuncture, and massage therapy.

 

Liver Cancer Pain: A Summary

Pain is a common problem for people with liver cancer. The tumor can cause pain by pressing against nerves and other organs. Also, therapies for liver cancer may cause discomfort.
 
The patient's doctor or a specialist in pain control can help relieve or reduce liver cancer pain in several ways:
 
  • Pain medicine: Medicines often can relieve liver cancer pain. (These medicines may make people drowsy and constipated, but resting and taking laxatives can help.)
     
  • Radiation: High-energy rays can help relieve liver cancer pain by shrinking the tumor.
     
  • Nerve block: The doctor may inject alcohol into the area around certain nerves in the abdomen to block the liver cancer pain.
     

Alternative Treatments for Liver Cancer Pain

The healthcare team may suggest other ways to relieve or reduce liver cancer pain. For example, massage, acupuncture, or acupressure may be used along with other approaches. Also, the patient may learn to relieve pain through relaxation techniques, such as listening to slow music or breathing slowly and comfortably.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD