Liver cancer, also referred to as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is a disease in which malignant cells form in the liver. There are many different types of liver cancers, but they all have the same basic characteristics: they originate from the cells that make up most of the liver and they can spread to other parts of the body. Liver cancer is quite rare, but it's one of the leading causes of death worldwide due to its high mortality rate. In this article, we'll look at some common signs and symptoms associated with this disease so you know what to watch out for if you or someone else experiences them!
LIVER CANCER (HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA)
Liver cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the liver. Liver cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the world and the third leading cause of death from cancer worldwide, with an estimated 774,000 new cases diagnosed each year. The American Cancer Society estimates that about 26,000 people will die from this disease in 2019.
In men, liver cancer accounts for approximately 5% of all cancers; in women it accounts for 2%. However, there are significant differences between racial groups: whites have twice as many cases as African Americans or Hispanics/Latinos; Asians have more than three times as many cases than do African Americans or Hispanics/Latinos (6).
Liver cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the world and the third leading cause of death from cancer worldwide, with an estimated 774,000 new cases diagnosed each year. The American Cancer Society estimates that about 26,000 people will die from this disease in 2019.
In men, liver cancer accounts for approximately 5% of all cancers; in women it accounts for 2%. However, there are significant differences between racial groups: whites have twice as many cases as African Americans or Hispanics/Latinos; Asians have more than three times as many cases than do African Americans or Hispanics/Latinos (6).
SYMPTOMS OF LIVER CANCER CAN INCLUDE
Liver cancer can be difficult to detect because it does not have symptoms until the disease is advanced. However, there are some signs and symptoms that you should look out for:
- Jaundice (a yellowing of the skin)
- Swelling of the abdomen
- Loss of appetite or weight loss
- Pain in your upper-right quadrant (the area below your right rib cage) or abdomen, which may feel like indigestion or bloating; this type of pain is usually worse than usual at night or after eating fatty foods
- If you experience any of these symptoms, see your doctor immediately so they can perform tests to determine what's causing them.
- If you have hepatitis B, your doctor will perform blood tests to determine if the virus is in your body. The doctor may also take a sample of your liver tissue for testing.
- If you have hepatitis B, the doctor will likely recommend that you receive treatment. Treatment usually consists of antiviral medications; this will help your liver heal faster and reduce the risk of complications.
- If you know you have hepatitis B, it's important to get tested for other types of liver infections as well. Hepatitis C is another type of liver infection that affects millions of people each year.
This virus can be transmitted from person to person through blood-to-blood contact, such as sharing needles or razors, for example. Hepatitis C can also be transmitted from a mother to her child during pregnancy or childbirth.
CAUSES OF LIVER CANCER INCLUDE
Liver cancer can be caused by a number of factors. Some of these are:
- Alcohol
- Tobacco use
- Viral infections, including hepatitis B and C, which are spread through infected blood and other bodily fluids. Hepatitis B virus is found worldwide; hepatitis C is common in Africa and Asia. Both viruses can cause chronic liver disease, cirrhosis (scarring), or liver cancer if left untreated for many years.
- Hemochromatosis (iron overload disease) -- a genetic condition that causes excess iron to build up in your body's tissues over time; it's most often diagnosed during childhood or early adulthood but can also develop later in life if you're exposed to certain medications or heavy metals like lead or copper--can increase your risk for developing liver cancer as well as other types of cancers.
- If you do have hepatitis B, there are treatments available that can help clear up the infection and prevent it from worsening. Treatment includes antiviral medications, which can reduce the duration of symptoms and prevent liver damage.
Other ways to reduce your risk for liver cancer include getting vaccinated against hepatitis B and avoiding heavy alcohol use.
DIAGNOSIS OF LIVER CANCER INCLUDES
Diagnosis of liver cancer includes:
- Blood tests. These can include an albumin test, which measures the amount of protein in your blood; a bilirubin test, which measures how much red blood cells are being broken down; and a kidney function test that shows how well your kidneys are working.
- Imaging tests such as CT scans (computed tomography) or MRI scans (magnetic resonance imaging). These help doctors see inside your body so they can get a better idea about what kind of tumor you have and where it is located in relation to other organs or tissues in the abdomen area.
- Biopsy: This is the removal of tissue samples from various parts of the body for laboratory analysis under a microscope by either needle aspiration or surgery (laparotomy).
Some viruses, such as hepatitis B and C, are commonly spread through infected blood and other bodily fluids. Hepatitis B virus is found worldwide; hepatitis C is common in Africa and Asia. Both viruses can cause chronic liver disease or cirrhosis (scarring) if left untreated for many years. Hemochromatosis (iron overload disease) -- a genetic condition that causes excess iron to build up in your body's tissues over time; it's most often diagnosed during childhood or early adulthood but can also develop later in life if you're exposed to certain medications or heavy metals like lead or copper--can increase your risk for developing liver cancer as well as other types of cancers such as cancer of the pancreas and stomach.
TREATMENT FOR LIVER CANCER MAY INCLUDE
Radiation therapy, which uses high-energy beams of radiation to destroy cancer cells. This type of treatment can also be used in combination with chemotherapy or surgery.
- Chemotherapy, a treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing and dividing (proliferating). The drug is given through a vein (IV), by mouth or under the skin (topical) as opposed to being injected directly into a vein like some other types of chemotherapy agents are delivered.. Drugs used in this form of treatment include 5-FU--fluorouracil; capecitabine-XELODA;
- Radiation therapy, which uses high-energy beams of radiation to destroy cancer cells. This type of treatment can also be used in combination with chemotherapy or surgery.
- The goal of radiation therapy is to destroy cancer cells without damaging the healthy tissue around them. This can be accomplished by using a machine that directs beams of energy (radiation) at the tumor or by giving radioactive drugs (radioisotopes).
The high-energy beams of radiation come from either external sources (external beam radiation therapy) or from machines placed inside the body near the tumor (internal radiation therapy). External beam radiation therapy is often used to treat cancers that are localized in one area, such as early-stage breast cancer. Internal radiation therapy involves giving patients radioactive drugs that can travel through their bloodstreams and destroy cancer cells wherever they go.
PREVENTION OF LIVER CANCER MAY INCLUDE
- Avoiding sexually transmitted infections Avoiding other sexually transmitted infections Avoiding excessive sun exposure Avoiding alcohol abuse Avoiding smoking
- Avoiding obesity and diabetes Avoiding viral hepatitis (hepatitis B and C) Avoiding excessive sun exposure Avoiding skin cancer, including melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers Avoiding sexually transmitted infections Avoiding other sexually transmitted infections Avoiding excessive sun exposure Avoiding alcohol abuse.
- Avoiding smoking Avoiding obesity and diabetes Avoiding viral hepatitis (hepatitis B and C) Avoiding excessive sun exposure Avoiding skin cancer, including melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers Avoiding sexually transmitted infections Avoiding other sexually transmitted infections.
- Avoiding excessive sun exposure Avoiding alcohol abuse Avoiding smoking Avoiding obesity and diabetes Avoiding viral hepatitis (hepatitis B and C) Avoiding excessive sun exposure Avoiding skin cancer, including melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers Avoiding sexually transmitted infections Avoiding other sexually transmitted infections.
- Avoiding alcohol.
- Avoiding smoking.
- Avoiding obesity and diabetes.
- Avoiding viral hepatitis (hepatitis B and C).
- Avoiding alcohol abuse.
- Avoiding excessive sun exposure Avoiding skin cancer, including melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers Avoiding sexually transmitted infections.
- Avoiding other sexually transmitted infections Avoiding excessive sun exposure Avoiding alcohol abuse.
- Avoiding smoking Avoiding obesity and diabetes Avoiding viral hepatitis (hepatitis B and C) Avoiding excessive sun exposure.
- Avoiding skin cancer, including melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers Avoiding sexually transmitted infections
CONCLUSION
The liver is an essential organ that performs many vital functions in our bodies. It helps us digest food, produce bile and store energy. Liver cancer is one of the most deadly forms of cancer because it often spreads to other organs before being detected. However, there are several ways to prevent this disease from occurring in the first place by eating foods rich in antioxidants or taking supplements such as vitamin C or selenium.
