Abdominal pain is a common symptom, which may be related to a variety of diseases, but abnormal severe abdominal pain should not be unattended, as it could possibly be related to cancer such as liver cancer in serious cases. According to the data from the Hong Kong Cancer Registry, there were 1,876 new cases of liver cancer in Hong Kong in 2019, representing the fifth most common cancer.
Like many other Hongkongers, Mr. Lee, our client, was busy with work on weekdays and had a stressful life without paying attention to his health. Not until he was admitted to the hospital due to severe abdominal pain did he notice the warning sent by his body, and was diagnosed with an unpredictable and long-term disease. Fortunately, his wife sought help from Cigna in time, obtained professional medical advice, took proper examination and diagnosis. Only with proper treatment can the illness be controlled.
Admitted to Emergency Room Due to Acute Abdominal Pain and Suspected of Having Cholelithiasis
Mr. Lee, in his 50s this year, had sudden acute abdominal pain and felt extremely painful, which had never happened before. He sought medical treatment at the A&E of a public hospital with his wife. The doctor suspected that he suffered from cholelithiasis, which caused abdominal pain. He was given intravenous painkillers to relieve the acute pain, and the A&E doctor referred him to a specialist outpatient clinic of a public hospital, but the estimated waiting time was long. If he was diagnosed of cholelithiasis, he had to wait for a certain period of time before performing cholecystectomy.
Diagnosis with Late-stage Liver Cancer upon Examination by the Surgeon
Since Mr. Lee is a client of Cigna, his wife called customer service hotline on his behalf to inquire about the coverage of the medical insurance plan, and also hoped to obtain professional medical advice, including referrals from private specialists. Assisted by Cigna’s Care Manager, Mr. Lee was referred to two surgeons with extensive experience in cholecystectomy. A few days later, he was arranged to have a medical consultation with one of the doctors he chose. The attending doctor found at the clinical examination that Mr. Lee’s abdomen was abnormally swollen, and believed that his abdominal pain was not simply caused by gallstones. As the symptom of severe abdominal distension was found, the doctor estimated that his liver was enlarged and worried that he suffered from liver cancer. After Mrs. Lee was informed, she was very worried. She believed that her husband was suffered from cholelithiasis, but it turned out to be cancer.
Extreme Pressure of Losing Family Breadwinner, Appreciate Doctors for Accurate Diagnosis
Mr. Lee was then arranged to be sent to a private hospital for further examinations, including Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan, and was eventually diagnosed with Stage 3 liver cancer. The cancer cells have spread to nearby organs, and he was referred to an oncologist for further follow-up and advised to receive treatment as soon as possible, including the surgery to remove the tumor, chemotherapy, etc. As her husband’s cancer case was so urgent, Mrs. Lee became panic-stricken. On the one hand, she was very worried about her husband’s condition; on the other hand, she was worried about how to take care of her husband in the future since he was the family breadwinner, and she had to work to raise two children. She felt very depressed and frustrated.
She sought assistance from Care Manager again, crying about the severe condition of her husband, and hoping to seek more professional advice. Our Care Manager went through Mr. Lee’s situation in detail, comforted Mrs. Lee, listened carefully to her personal and family needs, and searched and arranged suitable oncologists for Mr. Lee for follow-up, and formulated a series of treatment plans including chemotherapy. Mr. Lee was discharged from the hospital upon recovery, and then received anti-cancer medical treatments.
Liver Cancer May Cause Abdominal Pain and Yellowing of Skin
Liver cancer is more common in men. The major risk factors of liver cancer include cirrhosis of liver, chronic hepatitis B, long-standing alcohol abuse, and ingestion of certain toxins and chemicals, such as toxin found in molded peanuts or other molded foods.
In the early stages, liver cancer usually has no symptoms, and the following symptoms will gradually appear: pain in the upper right side of the abdomen, fever, yellowing of the skin and eyes, swelling of the abdomen, dark urine, pale stools, loss of appetite and nausea, as well as weight loss without reason, and fatigue and weakness. If you notice any of the above suspicious symptoms of yourself or your family members, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible. In addition, to prevent liver cancer, one should avoid alcoholism and receive hepatitis B vaccine to protect against hepatitis B infection. Maintaining a balanced diet, developing regular exercise habits, taking adequate rest and avoiding stress are all beneficial to your health.
Our Care Manager Provides You with Heart-warming Services
At present, Cigna’s customers can receive our Healthcare Concierge Service when receiving treatment, including a dedicated Care Manager for follow-up. The services are as follows:
- Staffed by registered nurses and provide customers with professional advisory if they are facing health issue
- Understands and analyzes the health condition of customers, and offers network doctor options
- Coordinates and follows up on hospital surgery or treatment arrangements and post-surgery visit
- Provides information on improving health, and post-discharge follow-up in person(for example, arranging post-discharge physiotherapy, nutrition guidance, meal delivery service, and more)
- Refers you to personalized services (for example, local limousine transportation to the hospital, nursing arrangements, virtual consultation, medication delivery, home modification, and more)
- Provides emotional support for customers and their family
- Helps arrange “Cigna Health Services At Home”to reduce the risk of infection
The above content is adapted from real cases. Should you have any questions regarding the above case, please contact Cigna for inquiries.
The content of the article cannot substitute for professional opinions or diagnosis of attending doctors. Should you have any questions regarding the medical treatment plan, please consult your attending doctor.
The content of the above article is for reference only, and Cigna does not warrant or make any representation regarding the accuracy and completeness of the related content and information. Cigna shall not be liable for any damages, indemnities, costs or other expenses arising out of the related content and information.
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