Advanced lung cancer means that the cancer has spread from where it started in the lung. It is also called metastatic cancer. The cancer might also cause fluid that contains cancer cells to collect around the lung. This is called fluid on the lung or a pleural effusion. Unfortunately advanced cancer can’t usually be cured. But treatment might control it, help symptoms, and improve your quality of life for some time. A cancer might be advanced when it
is first diagnosed. Or it may come back some time after you were first treated. This is called recurrent cancer. Locally advanced cancer is cancer that has spread into tissues around the lungs. For example, it may grow into an airway, the chest wall or the membranes that surround the lung (the pleura). A cancer that has spread to another part of the body is called a secondary cancer or metastasis. Not
all lung cancers will spread. But if the cancer does spread there are certain parts of the body that it is more likely to go to. The most common areas for lung cancer to spread to are: Finding out that you can’t be cured is distressing and can be a shock. It’s common to feel uncertain and anxious. It's normal to not be able to think about anything else. Lots of information and support is available to you, your family and friends. Some people find it helpful to find out more about their cancer and the treatments they might have. Many people find that knowing more about their situation can make it easier to cope.Locally advanced cancer
Where lung cancer spreads
How you might feel
Talk to your doctor or nurse to understand:
- what your diagnosis means
- what is likely to happen
- what treatment is available
- how treatment can help you
Survival
Many people want to know what the outlook is and how their cancer will develop. This is different for each person. Your cancer specialist has all the information about you and your cancer. They're the best person to discuss this with.
You can also talk to your specialist nurse.
For information and support, you can phone the Cancer Research UK nurses on 0808 800 4040, from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Lung cancer with liver metastases refers to secondary or metastatic tumours that are formed from cancer cells that have broken away from a primary lung cancer and spread through the lymphatic system or blood stream to the liver.
Once your doctor suspects that cancer has spread to your liver, they may carry out different checks and tests to assess the extent and possible impact of the tumours.
These tests can help your medical team get a clearer picture of what’s going on, and help you think about what you want to do next. These tests may include:
- Blood tests
- CT scan of the abdomen
- Abdominal ultrasound
- PET scan.
Symptoms of liver metastases
If you have lung cancer with liver metastases, you may not have symptoms at all. In fact, you may only find out that your cancer has spread when you have a test, such as a CT scan or PET scan.
Symptoms of liver metastases may include:
- Pain under your ribs
- Pain on the right side of your abdomen
- Swollen abdomen
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Nausea
- Hiccups.
If the tumour in your liver is obstructing your bile ducts, you may also develop jaundice, the yellowing of your skin and whites of the eyes.
Wendy, living with advanced lung cancer and liver metastases
Wendy was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer and liver metastases over seven years ago. She is on a targeted therapy, has minimal side effects and has been able to return to work part time.
Treatment for liver metastases
Treatment for liver metastases is primarily about managing symptoms, slowing the growth and improving your quality of life.
Symptom management including anti-sickness treatment, pain killers and draining the fluid in your swollen abdomen.
You may also be offered chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy or surgery. Surgery is not suitable for everyone with liver metastases and can depend on several factors including:
- Whether your cancer has only spread to the liver
- The number and size of the tumours
- Whether your lung cancer, the primary cancer, is under control.
- Chemotherapy
- Targeted therapies
- Radiotherapy.
Your healthcare team will talk about your case to work out the best treatment for you. It is important to remember, just because you have treatment options doesn’t mean you have to take them.
Your medical team, including your lung cancer nurse specialist, can talk your through your treatment options and the potential impact and side effects they can have, allowing you to make an informed decision.