What is Liver Cancer?
Liver cancer is the growth of abnormal cells that occur in the liver. The largest glandular organ in the body is the liver and it is responsible for many critical functions to relieve the body of harmful substances and toxins. In the event that cancer is formed in the liver, it damages the cells in the liver and it blocks the liver from being able to perform to its complete capacity.
What are the main types of Liver Cancer?
The primary kinds of liver cancer are:
- Hepatocellular carcinoma: This kind of cancer amounts to about 75% of liver cancer cases. This cancer develops in the primary liver cells called hepatocytes and can spread from the liver to other organs.
- Cholangiocarcinoma: This is a type of cancer which is formed in the bile ducts of the liver. The primary motto of these bile ducts is to take the bile from liver to gallbladder to aid the digestion process. There are further two divisions in this kind of cancer, one is intrahepatic bile duct cancer, when the part of the cancerous duct is inside the liver, the other is extrahepatic bile duct cancer, here the part of the cancerous duct is outside the liver.
- Liver angiosarcoma: This kind of cancer begins in the blood vessels of the liver
- Hepatoblastoma: This is the rarest form of liver cancer is almost only found in children below the age of 3. If detected at an early stage, hepatoblastoma can have a very high success rate.
How is Liver Cancer Diagnosed?
Using a group of below tests, liver cancer can be diagnosed:
- Liver function test.
- Blood tests.
- CT Scan.
- MRI Scan.
- Liver Biopsy.
How is Liver Cancer Treated?
Liver cancer can be treated by the below based on the type and spread of cancer:
- Surgery.
- Radiation.
- Chemotherapy.
Liver directed therapies
- Targeted therapy.
- Immunotherapy.
What are the signs and symptoms of Liver Cancer?
Below are the few signs and symptoms of Liver cancer:
- Jaundice.
- Abdominal Pain.
- Pain near the right shoulder.
- Sudden loss of weight.
- Swollen spleen and liver.
- Vomiting.
- Fever.
- Back Pain.
- Fluid build up of abdomen.
- Weakness.
- Bloated feeling after eating a little.
What are the risk factors of Liver Cancer?
Based on the type of tumor and its intensity, the treatment plan could include:
- Infection: Hepatitis B or C virus can increase your risk of liver cancer.
- Cirrhosis: This condition causes scar tissue to be developed in the liver and thereby supplementing your chances of cancer.
- Inherited Liver Disease: Diseases such as Wilson’s disease and hemochromatosis can increment the chances of Liver cancer.
- Diabetes.
- Fatty Liver.
- Excess Alcohol.