Liver Cancer
Resources
Publications
What is Liver Cancer?
The liver is the largest internal organ in the body. It lies under the right ribs, just beneath the
right lung and diaphragm (the membrane below the lungs that moves up and down as you
breathe). The liver performs several vital functions. It processes and stores many of the nutrients
absorbed from the intestine, makes some of the clotting factors needed to stop bleeding from a
cut or injury, and secretes bile into the intestine to help absorb nutrients.
The liver also plays an important part in removing toxic wastes from the body. Because the liver
is made up of several different types of cells, several types of tumors can form in the liver. Some
of these are cancerous and some are benign (not cancerous).
Most of the time when cancer is found in the liver it spreads to the liver from a cancer that began
somewhere else in the body. These tumors are named after the place where they began (primary
site) and are further described as metastatic.
Facts: According to the Illinois State Cancer Registry, in 2021, there were 1,028 new cases of
liver cancer diagnosed in Illinois. Of these, 742 were in men and 286 in women. In 2021, 690
Illinoisans died from liver cancer. Liver cancer occurs more often in people over 60 years of age.
What are the Causes and Risk Factors of Liver Cancer?
The exact cause of liver cancer is not known. Scientists have found that people with certain risk
factors are more likely than others to develop liver cancer.
Common risk factors include:
Gender
Men are twice as likely as women to get liver cancer.
Obesity
Obesity increases the risk of developing liver cancer.
Family history
People who have family members with liver cancer may be more likely to get the disease.
Viral infection
The most important risk factor for liver cancer is a chronic infection (on-going) with the hepatitis
B or the hepatitis C virus. These viruses can be passed from person to person through blood
(such as sharing needles) or sexual contact. An infant may catch these viruses from an infected
mother. Liver cancer can develop after many years of infection with the viruses.
Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is a disease that develops when liver cells are damaged and replaced with scar tissue. It
may be caused by alcohol abuse, certain drugs or chemicals and certain viruses or parasites.
About 5% of people with cirrhosis develop liver cancer.
Smoking and alcohol
There is a link between smoking and liver cancer. The risk may be even greater for people who
also abuse alcohol.
Aflatoxin
Liver cancer can be caused by aflatoxin, a harmful substance made by certain types of fungus
that can contaminate peanuts, wheat, soybeans, ground nuts, corn, and rice. Long-term exposure
to aflatoxins increases the risk of liver cancer.
What are the Symptoms of Liver Cancer?
Most of the time liver cancer in the early stages does not cause symptoms. If symptoms are
present, they may include:
unexplained weight loss
on-going lack of appetite
fullness after a small meal
a swollen liver or a mass that can be felt around the liver
ongoing stomach pain extending to the back and shoulder
a swollen abdomen
yellow-green color to the skin and eyes (jaundice)
increased symptoms of illness in those who have chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis
The above symptoms could be caused by liver cancer, but they also can be caused by other
cancers or conditions. It is important to report any of these symptoms to a doctor.
How to Prevent Liver Cancer
Measures that reduce exposure to risk factors can help prevent most liver cancer.
Get a vaccine to prevent hepatitis B. All children and high-risk adults should have this
vaccination.
Prevent exposure to hepatitis C by knowing the way it spreads (blood transfusions,
sharing contaminated needles by IV drug abusers, and having unprotected sex). Studies
suggest that the drugs interferon and ribavirin may prevent the development of liver
cancer in people who have hepatitis C.
Do not abuse alcohol, which can prevent liver cirrhosis that can lead to liver cancer.
Quit smoking.
Resources
American Cancer Society
National Cancer Institute
American Liver Foundation
Publications
Cancer Awareness in Illinois
men.
What are the Causes and Risk Factors of Oral Cancer?
Some people with oral cancer do not have any known risk factors, and others with several risk
factors never develop the disease. Important risk factors are listed below.
Tobacco
About 90% of people with oral cancer use tobacco. The risk of developing these cancers
increases with the amount smoked or chewed and the duration of the habit. Smokers are six
times more likely than nonsmokers to develop these cancers. Smokeless tobacco (“snuff” or
chewing tobacco) is associated with cancers of the cheek, gums, and inner surface of the lips.
Smokeless tobacco increases the risk of these cancers by about 50 times.
Alcohol
Drinking alcohol greatly increases a smoker’s risk of developing oral cancer. About 75% to 80%
of all patients with oral cancer drink alcohol. People who drink alcohol but don’t smoke have a
higher risk of cancer if they are heavy drinkers. The combination of tobacco and alcohol is
deadly.
Ultraviolet light
More than 30% of patients with lip cancers have outdoor occupations associated with prolonged
exposure to sunlight.
Poor nutrition
A diet low in fruits and vegetables is associated with an increased risk of developing oral cancer.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection
The current studies indicate HPV may contribute to the development of oral cavity and
oropharyngeal cancers in around 20% of people.
Age
The likelihood of developing oral and pharyngeal cancer increases with age. Half of all cases are
in persons older than age 65; 90% are older than age 45.
What are the Symptoms of Oral Cancer?
The common symptoms of oral cancer include:
sore in the mouth that does not heal (most common symptom)
pain in the mouth that does not go away (also very common)
persistent lump or thickening in the cheek
persistent white or red patch on the gums, tongue, tonsil, or lining of the mouth
sore throat or a feeling that something is caught in the throat that does not go away
difficulty chewing or swallowing
difficulty moving the jaw or tongue
numbness of the tongue or other area of the mouth
swelling of the jaw that causes dentures to fit poorly or become uncomfortable
loosening of the teeth or pain around the teeth or jaw
voice changes
lump or mass in the neck
unintentional weight loss
persistent bad breath
These symptoms can be caused by many other conditions. It is important to report any of these
symptoms (lasting more than two weeks) to a dentist or physician.
How to Prevent Oral Cancer
Most oral cancers can be prevented by avoiding risk factors whenever possible.
Tobacco and alcohol are the largest risk factors for oral cancer. The best way to prevent
this cancer is to never start smoking or using smokeless tobacco. If you use tobacco now,
quit. If you drink, reduce alcohol intake. Most oral cancers could be prevented if people
did not use tobacco or drink heavily.
To avoid getting cancer of the lips from the sun, stay inside or in the shade during the
middle of the day, when the sun’s rays are most damaging. Minimize exposure to the sun
by wearing a wide-brimmed hat. Use lip protection with a sun protection factor (SPF) of
at least 15 and reapply frequently while outside.
Eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables every day and 6 to 11 servings of bread,
cereal, grain, rice, pasta, or beans. Eat less high-fat meat, dairy products, and processed
food.
Examine your mouth monthly and see a dentist or doctor if any symptoms occur. Ask a
doctor or dentist to screen you for oral cancer at least once a year.
Resources
American Cancer Society
National Cancer Institute
Publications
Cancer Awareness in Illinois
HPV-Associated Cancers in Illinois I
HPV-Associated Cancers in Illinois II
