What is liver cancer?

• • The liver is the football-sized organ in the right upper area of the abdominal cavity and behind the lower ribs.
  • The Liver’s two main works in the digestive process are to make and secrete bile which helps digest fats and eliminate waste products, Store nutrients, Filter and process chemicals in food, Alcohol, and medications.

   

  • What is liver cancer?
  • Hepatic cancer is another name for liver cancer.
  • The liver stops functioning properly due to the presence and growth of cancerous cells in the liver.
  • It is a life-threatening illness and one of the fastest-growing cancers.

   

  • What are the types of liver cancer?

  There are two types:

  • 1. Primary liver cancer – primary cancer starts in our liver.

  There are three types that constitute primary liver cancer:

  • Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): This is the most common form of liver cancer, all liver cancer cases are representing nearly.
  • Intrahepatic cancer (IHC): it is also known as Cholangiocarcinoma, It’s seen in our liver’s bile ducts.
  • Angiosarcoma: This is a very rare type of primary liver cancer, that begins in the lining of blood cells in the liver, 1% of all primary liver cancer cases representing.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        2. Secondary liver cancer – Spread to the liver from another part of body, Cancer cells are carried in the bloodstream or lymphatic system to another part of the body.

   

  • What are the stages of liver cancer?
  • The four stages of liver cancer:
    1. Stage 1 liver cancer –
  • Single primary tumor hasn’t grown & spread into any blood vessels & nearby lymph nodes.
  • Two subcategories in stage 1:

  1A – primary tumor measures 2cm or smaller.

  1B – primary tumor is larger than 2cm.

   

  1. Stage 2 liver cancer –
  • A single primary tumor has grown into blood vessels, hasn’t spread to nearly lymph nodes nor distant sites.(tumors are smaller than 5cm)

   

  • Stage 3 liver cancer –
  • Two subcategories in stage 2:

  3A – several tumors larger than 5cm, hasn’t spread to nearby lymph nodes.

  3B – Several tumors is growing into a branch of the portal vein or hepatic vein, hasn’t spread to nearby lymph nodes.

   

  1. Stage 4 liver cancer –
  • Spread to nearby lymph nodes, Lungs & bones.
  • Two subcategories in stage 4:

  4A – One or several tumors of any has been size seen and spread to nearby lymph nodes.

  4B – One or several tumors of any size has been seen and spread to other organs like lungs & bones.

   

  • What are the symptoms of liver cancer?
  • Jaundice (a skin and eye-white ending condition).
  • Nausea & vomiting.
  • The dark color of urine.
  • Upper abdominal discomfort on the right side.
  • Pain in RHQ region & back pain.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Weight loss.
  • A swollen abdomen.

   

  • What are the causes of liver cancer?
  • Obesity
  • Drinking alcohol
  • Smoking cigarettes
  • Having long–term Hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus infection
  • Cirrhosis of liver
  • Nonalcoholic fatty liver
  • Diabetes
  • Aflatoxin exposure
  • Anabolic steroid use

   

  • How is liver cancer diagnosed?
  • Blood test:
  1. LFT (liver function test)
  2. AFP
  • Liver enzymes
  • Ultrasound
  • CT scan
  • MRI
  • Angiogram
  • Biopsy
  1. Needle biopsy
  2. Laparoscopic biopsy
  • Surgical biopsy
  • Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC)

   

  • How is liver cancer treated?
  • Partial hepatectomy
  • Liver transplant
  • Ablation
  • Radiation therapy
  • Targeted therapy
  • Chemotherapy
  • Immunotherapy
  • Embolization, chemoembolization and radio embolization

   

  • How can liver cancer prevented?

   

  • Get the hepatitis B vaccine
  • Be aware of hepatitis C infection, cautious about tattoos and piercings
  • Stop drink alcohol
  • Maintain weight
  • Healthy lifestyle
  • Exercising regularly
  • Balanced diet

Author :- DR. Jimmy Ladani

BHMS, CCH

Kaizen Hospital