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Liver Cancer

Liver cancer originates in the liver, with primary types including hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, while secondary liver cancer spreads from other organs. Risk factors include chronic hepatitis infections, cirrhosis, excessive alcohol use, and obesity. Treatment options vary by stage and health, ranging from surgical interventions to targeted therapies, with early-stage liver cancer being potentially curable.

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5 views3 pages

Liver Cancer

Liver cancer originates in the liver, with primary types including hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, while secondary liver cancer spreads from other organs. Risk factors include chronic hepatitis infections, cirrhosis, excessive alcohol use, and obesity. Treatment options vary by stage and health, ranging from surgical interventions to targeted therapies, with early-stage liver cancer being potentially curable.

Uploaded by

yl3files
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Liver Cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the liver — a large organ in the upper right part of the

abdomen that helps process nutrients, detoxifies harmful substances, and produces bile.

Types of Liver Cancer

1. Primary Liver Cancer (originates in the liver)

o Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) – Most common type

o Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma – Cancer of the bile ducts inside the liver

o Hepatoblastoma – Rare and usually occurs in children

2. Secondary (Metastatic) Liver Cancer

o Cancer that spreads to the liver from other organs (e.g., colon, breast, lung)

Risk Factors

 Chronic hepatitis B or C infection

 Cirrhosis (due to alcohol, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, or hepatitis)

 Excessive alcohol use

 Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

 Aflatoxins (toxins from moldy food)

 Hemochromatosis (iron overload)

 Obesity and diabetes

 Smoking

Symptoms

Often silent in early stages. As the disease progresses:

 Unexplained weight loss

 Loss of appetite

 Upper abdominal pain

 Nausea or vomiting

 Fatigue

 Liver enlargement (mass in upper abdomen)


 Yellowing of skin and eyes (jaundice)

 Swelling in the abdomen (ascites)

Diagnosis

 Blood tests – Liver function tests, AFP (alpha-fetoprotein) marker

 Imaging – Ultrasound, CT scan, MRI

 Liver biopsy – Confirms diagnosis

 Staging tests – To determine spread

Staging

 Stage I–IV – Based on size, number of tumors, blood vessel invasion, and spread

 BCLC (Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer) staging is also commonly used

Treatment Options

Depends on the stage, liver function, and overall health:

1. Surgical options

o Liver resection (removal of part of the liver)

o Liver transplant

2. Non-surgical options

o Ablation therapies – Radiofrequency ablation (RFA), microwave ablation

o Embolization – TACE (Transarterial chemoembolization), TARE (radioembolization)

o Targeted therapy – e.g., Sorafenib, Lenvatinib

o Immunotherapy – Checkpoint inhibitors (e.g., atezolizumab + bevacizumab)

o Radiation therapy – Sometimes used, especially if surgery is not possible

Prognosis

 Early-stage liver cancer may be curable with surgery or transplant

 Advanced stages have a lower survival rate but may be managed with therapy

 Prognosis also depends on underlying liver health (e.g., cirrhosis)


Prevention

 Vaccination for Hepatitis B

 Screening and treatment of Hepatitis C

 Avoid alcohol abuse

 Maintain healthy weight and diet

 Avoid aflatoxin-contaminated food

 Regular liver screening if high risk

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