What is Liver Cancer
On a precise note, liver cancer is a type of cancer which begins in the liver cells. In case if you don’t know what the liver is, it is a football-sized organ which resides in the upper right side of the abdomen and beneath the diaphragm.
Now, different types of cancer can form in the liver organ which shows the critical nature of the liver. As per the latest studies, the most common type of liver cancer is the hepatocellular carcinoma which begins in the liver cells.
Further, not every cancer which affects the liver can be named as liver cancer. For which, the doctor can be the best person to examine the case and let us know about the different outcomes.
Symptoms of Liver Cancer
Although liver cancer can be disastrous, people don’t usually receive the signs and symptoms at an early stage. However, some of the most common signs and symptoms of liver cancer include:
- Loss of Appetite
- Losing Weight without Doing Anything
- Nausea & Vomiting
- Weakness and Fatigue
- Abdomen Swelling
- Upper Abdomen Pain
- While Chalky Stools
- Skin appearing yellowish in colour
Causes of Liver Cancer
Till date, the exact cause of liver cancer is not known.
However, as per the different cases and studies, most of them have a link with scarring of the liver which is known as cirrhosis.
According to the American Cancer Society, hepatitis C is one of the most occurring causes of Liver cancer.
Thus, people who suffer from hepatitis B or C have a greater risk to get liver cancer than other healthy beings.
Further, some of the genetically inherited liver diseases namely hemochromatosis also increase the chance of liver cancer.
Risk Factors of Liver Cancer
Out of the different risk factors which can make you suffer from Liver cancer, the most prominent ones are:
- Type 2 Diabetes
People who suffer from diabetes, especially hepatitis or those who consume alcohol have higher chances to suffer from Liver Cancer.
- Family History
In case if anyone if your family member is suffering from liver cancer, there are high chances, you will get the same. Here, it can be a father, mother or siblings.
- Heavy consumption of alcohol
In case if an individual is a heavy drinker, he/she can suffer from Liver cancer more likely than people who don’t.
- Low Immunity levels
People who generally have a weak immune system or those who are suffering from AIDS/HIV, liver cancer awaits you.
- Long-Time Exposure to Aflatoxins
An Aflatoxin is a thing which is made from fungus. Further, you can find it in mouldy wheat, corns, nuts, soybeans and peanuts.
Now, the risk of liver cancer only increases if you have been exposed to aflatoxins for a longer period of time.
- Obesity
Being obese invites tons of diseases and the same goes for the arrival of liver cancer.
Stages of Liver Cancer
Normally, Liver Cancer is categorized in the stages as follows:
- Stage 1
Here, the tumour resides in the liver and has not spread to any location or organ.
- Stage 2
Either, there are different tumours which are residing in the liver or there is one tumour which has reached the blood vessel
- Stage 3
There are different large tumours which have already reached the main blood vessels. Further, cancer has even attacked the gallbladder.
- Stage 4
In this case, liver cancer has metastasized. What does that mean? It means that the cancer cells have spread to almost every part of the body.
Types of Liver Cancer
Different Types of Liver Cancer are as follows:
- Hepatocellular carcinoma
- Cholangiocarcinoma
- Liver Angiosarcoma
- Hepatoblastoma
Diagnosis of Liver Cancer
In case if an individual is diagnosed with liver cancer at an early, the chances for survival drastically increases.
Now, in the diagnosis process, the doctor will ask questions about your medical history. With this, he/she will rule out the factors which can have a link with liver cancer.
Then, the doctor will ask to give a physical examination where the focus will remain on the abdomen and skin colour.
Further, following any signs of liver cancer, the doctor may ask you to do the following tests:
- Blood Tests
These tests will include different tests such as blood clots, check the level of substances in the blood. And, will even see the proportions of white and red blood cells.
- Tests for hepatitis
The doctor will conduct several tests to check whether the patient is suffering from hepatitis B and C.
- Imaging Scans
Either a CT scan or an MRI, the doctors can see the spreading of cancer and then take appropriate measures.
- Biopsy
A small sample of the tumour is removed from the abdomen and analyzed. This analysis can tell whether a tumour is cancerous one or non-cancerous one.
- Laparoscopy
Normally, it is an outpatient procedure which is done under local anaesthetic and general guidance.
In this procedure, a long and flexible tube having a camera is inserted through the abdomen. This helps the doctor to observe the liver and its surrounding area.
Now, once the doctor has accessed every diagnosis stage, he/she can determine the type of liver cancer.
After which, they can start the actual treatment procedure to cure liver cancer to some good extents.
How Liver Cancer is Treated?
For people who are suffering from liver cancer and are on an early stage, surgery is the sole option to increase the chance of recovery.
Now, different types of surgical option are:
- Partial Hepatectomy
When the tumour is tiny and resides in the tumour, the specified part can be removed with the help of surgery.
However, if we talk about the United States, people who suffer from liver cancer have cirrhosis. Hence, during the surgery procedure, the process can be canceled.
Thus, partial hepatectomy is only for people who are having healthy liver functioning. But, if the cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body, partial hepatectomy is not the option.
- Liver Transplant
People who want to undergo a liver transplant must not have a tumour which is larger than 5cm or even 3cm.
In case if the tumour is larger than the above size, it’s returning back chance increases to a massive extent.
Hence, with a successful liver transplant surgery, the risk of liver cancer returning reduces and the normal functioning of the liver starts again.
Treatment Option for Tumors which are incurable
In case if the patient is suffering from advanced liver cancer, the survival rate is relatively low. However, some of the treatment options for which the patient can opt for are:
- Ablative Therapy
In Ablative therapy, substances are inserted in a tumour such as alcohol. In either case, the doctors can even make use of radio waves and lasers for doing Ablative therapy.
- Radiation Therapy
Radiation light is directed to a tumour or group of tumours. After which, radiation therapy helps in killing most of them.
After the procedure, patients can experience nausea, fatigue or even vomit for months.
- Chemotherapy
In chemotherapy, medications are injected into the liver for killing cancer cells. Further, in chemotherapy, blood supply to cancer cells gets blocked and anti-cancer drugs are injected directly into the tumour.
Wrapping Things Up: Everything You Need to Know About Liver Cancer
Till date, there is no 100 percent cure for liver cancer which is the reason people are dying of the same.
Still, you can take some critical steps such as maintaining a healthy weight, getting Hepatitis vaccinations and moderating alcohol intake to minimize the risk of liver cancer.
For people who are already suffering from liver cancer, you can consult your doctor and they will be the best person to guide you, in any case.
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