Understanding Liver Tumors: Causes, Risks, and Treatment Options
Liver tumor issues? Dear Dr. Lin, 1. My father is 70 years old and has recently experienced some health issues. He has over ten tumors in his liver, but the biopsy report indicates that the largest one is necrotic, so the report appears to be fine. However, the doctor mentioned ...
Dr. Lin Minghui Reply:
Hello: 1. There are instances where tumors may be associated with necrosis, and elevated CA 19-9 levels can indicate various conditions, including malignant ones such as pancreatic cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, and gastrointestinal cancers. Benign conditions may include cholecystit...[Read More] Understanding Liver Tumors: Causes, Risks, and Treatment Options
Elevated Alpha-Fetoprotein Levels: What Could It Mean for Your Health?
The fetal protein index is slightly elevated? Hello, doctor. Last month during my company's health check-up, my alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level was 13 (the hospital's normal range is below 10.9). My liver function tests were normal. Last week, I went for a follow-up, and ...
Dr. Lin Minghui Reply:
Hello: Fetal protein is a protein that appears in fetal serum and disappears after birth. The causes of elevated fetal protein levels include pregnancy, hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver cancer, germ cell tumors, testicular cancer, and other reproductive and urinary system tumors. For ...[Read More] Elevated Alpha-Fetoprotein Levels: What Could It Mean for Your Health?
Understanding Liver Health: Addressing Abdominal Discomfort and Concerns
Regarding issues related to the "liver" and "abdominal discomfort." Hello, Dr. Hsu. I would like to ask you a few questions and provide some context first. For the past four to five days, I have been experiencing some discomfort in the upper abdomen, particula...
Dr. Xu Jinchuan Reply:
Hello! The symptoms mentioned in the letter are not related to the liver. Since you do not have hepatitis B, it is likely that you do not have hepatitis C either (I'm not sure if you have been tested?). The probability of developing liver cancer is very low; however, if you ...[Read More] Understanding Liver Health: Addressing Abdominal Discomfort and Concerns
Understanding Oily Stools: Causes and When to Seek Medical Help
Oily stools I consulted a doctor a few days ago due to diarrhea, which improved the next day but changed to soft stools and clay-colored oil. I also noticed oil being expelled with gas. The doctor diagnosed me with enteritis, but after two days of medication, there has been no im...
Dr. Lin Minghui Reply:
Hello: Abnormal fat absorption can lead to fatty stools. Small intestine diseases (such as infections, malabsorption, or lymphatic obstruction) or pancreatic diseases (such as pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer) can cause excessive fat in the stool. If the amount is significant an...[Read More] Understanding Oily Stools: Causes and When to Seek Medical Help
Chronic Stomach Pain: Seeking Answers Beyond Endoscopy and Ultrasound
Chronic stomach pain? Hello Doctor, I have been experiencing a long-term issue for about six to seven years. Due to my busy work schedule, I often ate irregularly or sometimes not at all. Subsequently, I began to have symptoms similar to acid reflux. The symptoms are not characte...
Dr. Yuan Hongdao Reply:
Hello, the initial symptom of burning in the chest is caused by gastric acid reflux into the esophagus. At this time, using proton pump inhibitors typically results in significant improvement. The size of the ulcer does not necessarily correlate with the symptoms of upper abdomin...[Read More] Chronic Stomach Pain: Seeking Answers Beyond Endoscopy and Ultrasound
Understanding Ascites: Causes, Risks, and Connections to Cancer
What is major water pollution, and what is its severity? Doctor, I'm not clear about medical issues, so when I heard about significant ascites in the abdomen, I was filled with a lot of questions. Why is there a lot of fluid in the belly, and could this indicate advanced can...
Dr. Chen Zhiping Reply:
Hello, in healthy individuals, there is typically very little ascitic fluid present in the abdominal cavity, and it is not detectable on ultrasound. Therefore, the presence of abdominal fluid indicates an underlying issue, which could be related to the liver, kidneys, heart, or p...[Read More] Understanding Ascites: Causes, Risks, and Connections to Cancer
Understanding Bloating, Nausea, and Loss of Appetite: Gastrointestinal Insights
Nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite? Hello, Doctor: Symptom 1: For about a year now, I often feel gas in my body and have the urge to burp, but it's not spontaneous; I feel the gas and deliberately try to burp it out, which leads to me feeling full after eating very lit...
Dr. Xu Ruihong Reply:
Hello, your issue sounds like poor gastrointestinal motility. Generally speaking, increasing physical activity and managing stress can help alleviate symptoms; medication should be considered as a last resort. Given your young age, the likelihood of malignant tumors is low, but...[Read More] Understanding Bloating, Nausea, and Loss of Appetite: Gastrointestinal Insights
Understanding Pancreatic Tumors: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options
Pancreatic tumor Dear Dr. Zhang Yuting, Hello! I would like to briefly summarize my medical history for your reference. 1. Hepatitis B (maternal transmission) 2. Car accident (fractured jaw, surgery performed) 3. Uterine fibroids (surgically removed approximately 0.6 kg) 4. Ch...
Dr. Zhang Yuting Reply:
Your issue is quite complex, and based on your description, the most likely problem is a chronic pancreatic neck tumor. There are several possibilities regarding your pancreatic neck tumor: one is that it is a malignant tumor (as chronic pancreatitis is a high-risk factor for pan...[Read More] Understanding Pancreatic Tumors: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options
Understanding Abdominal Pain: Possible Causes and When to Seek Further Help
Abdominal pain Hello Doctor, my father has been experiencing abdominal pain when moving or lightly pressing on his abdomen for the past few days. When he is still, he feels a vague discomfort. However, his bowel movements and appetite are normal. He previously visited a small cli...
Dr. Yang Peizhen Reply:
Hello! The question you asked is quite complex and covers a wide range of issues. First, there are many diseases related to the abdomen, and abdominal pain can involve various organs. Therefore, you need to specify the location of the pain and whether there is a fever. Typically,...[Read More] Understanding Abdominal Pain: Possible Causes and When to Seek Further Help