Liver Cancer, also known as Hepatocellular Carcinoma, is the cancer that originates in liver. When we talk of liver cancer, we generally talk about metastatic cancers that spread to liver after originating in other organs. By hepatocellular carcinoma, we mean a malignant tumor that originates in liver and is known as primary liver cancer. The tumor may grow on the surface or inside the liver. However, the symptoms of the disease vary from one place to another, but most of the cases are found in Asia and Africa. Men are more prone to liver cancer than women. It generally occurs in elderly people over the age of 50 but exceptions are always there.
Symptoms:
There are no specific symptoms of liver cancer and may vary in individuals, specially during the initial stages. Generally, liver cancer is diagnosed at advanced stages due to various reasons. Some common symptoms shown by patients at advanced stages are listed below:
- Abdominal Mass
- Abdominal Pain or tenderness
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fever
- Anemia
- Jaundice or yellowness in eyes or skin
Causes or Risk Factors:
There are many factors that contribute to liver cancer such as alcohol addiction, hepatitis, etc. Some common causes of liver cancer are:
- Cirrhosis: Cirrhosis of liver, may it be of any type, is the most common cause of liver cancer and individuals with cirrhosis of liver are at an increased risk of developing this disease.
- Hepatitis B or C Virus infection: Hepatitis B or C virus are among many common causes of liver cancer. Individuals who have hepatitis B or C are at increased risk, and this is the reason of why people in Asia are more prone to liver cancer.
- Alcohol: Alcohol is one of the major contributing factors of liver cancer. Alcohol abuse is the major cause of Hepatocellular carcinoma in US.
- Long term liver inflammation.
- Hemochromatosis or excess iron storage in the body, including liver.
Diagnosis:
Liver cancer diagnosis generally starts with a physical examination. Once your doctor finds some signs of enlarged or tender liver, he may move ahead to imaging techniques. The various tests that doctor may prescribe you are:
- Blood test
- Abdominal CT-Scan
- MRI
- Abdominal Ultrasound
- Liver Biopsy or aspiration
Treatment Procedure:
Usually surgery is done if a tumor is diagnosed at initial stages or liver transplant may also be suggested for small growing tumors. However, it's hard to diagnose the tumor early. Chemotherapy may prove helpful, but it cannot treat the disease. The treatment of Hepatoclellular carcinoma is quite complex as nothing proves helpful.
Prevention:
Vaccination against hepatitis virus infection may be helpful in preventing liver cancer. Avoid alcohol abuse to lower the risk of developing the deadly tumor. Patients suffering from chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis should undergo periodic screening to identify the tumor, by any chance.
Liver cancer is among the most dangerous malignant tumors that lead to death. Only early detection can help in treating the disease. If you have any indications related to hepatocellular carcinoma, consult your physician immediately. Physical examination and advanced imaging may detect the possibilities of developing the tumor.
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