Liver Cancer

What is Liver Cancer?

Liver cancer is a type of cancer that originates in the cells of the liver. Large in size, the liver is located in the upper right section of the abdomen, above the stomach and under the diaphragm.

Numerous cancers can arise in the liver. Compared to cancer that originates in the liver cells, cancer that spreads to the liver occurs more frequently. Unlike liver cancer, metastatic cancer originates in another part of the body, such as the breast, colon, or lung, and then spreads to the liver. For instance, one type of cancer that begins in the colon and spreads to the liver is called metastatic colon cancer.

Asarfi oncology department excels at offering top-notch cancer treatment because of their combined more than 30 years of clinical excellence. Our oncologists and onco-surgeons treat all types and forms of cancer using a multidisciplinary approach. They are assisted by a team of highly skilled reconstructive surgeons who treat all of our patients, both adults and children, with extensive care, as well as by the newest cancer treatment technologies.

Primary liver cancers come in a variety of forms because of the many cells that comprise the liver. Primary liver cancer may start as a single lump on the liver or it may start simultaneously in several places on the liver.

Individuals with significant liver impairment are more likely to have multiple cancer growth sites. The most prevalent types of primary liver cancer are as follows:

Carcinoma Hepatocellular

This disease develops in the hepatocytes, which comprise most of the liver cells. It can spread from the liver to other organs such as the stomach, intestines, and pancreas. At about 75% of cases, it is the most prevalent type of liver cancer. Individuals who abuse alcohol and have significant liver impairment are far more likely to develop HCC.

A cholangiocarcinoma

An illness called cholangiocarcinoma, or bile duct cancer, arises in the small, tube-like bile ducts of the liver. Bile is transferred by these ducts from the liver to the gallbladder, facilitating digestion. Ten percent to twenty percent of all liver cancers are bile duct cancers.

Angiosarcoma of the liver

An unusual kind of liver cancer that begins in the blood vessels of the liver is called liver angiosarcoma. Due to its rapid progression, this type of cancer is typically discovered later on.

Hepatoblastoma

This type of liver cancer is incredibly uncommon. Children are almost always found to have it, especially those younger than three.

Symptoms

Most people with early-stage primary liver cancer don't exhibit any symptoms at all. When warning signs and symptoms do appear, they may consist of the following:

• Loss of weight effortlessly
• appetite decline
• Upper abdominal pain
• nausea and vomiting
• Continuous Weariness
• abdomen edoema
• You appear jaundiced, with a yellow tint to your skin and the whites of your eyes.
• Chalky and white stool colour

Causes

The cause of liver cancer is known in certain situations, such as chronic hepatitis infections. It is unknown why liver cancer can develop in people without any underlying medical conditions, though.

Extra Risk Elements

• Wine and Liver Cancer
• Alcohol Abuse
• Liver Cirrhosis in Cancer
• cirrhosis
• Diabetes and Liver Cancer
• Diabetes
• Liver Cancer Fatty Liver
• Fatty Liver
• Liver Cancer Hepatitis
• Hepatitis
• Liver Cancer Hereditary
• Hereditary

Stages

The cancer diagnosis is given a number by the doctor using a process called staging, which goes from I to IV. The risk of cancer spreading increases with increasing number. The options available for treating a cancer also define it, most notably the possibility of surgical removal.

The following are the stages of liver cancer:

• Stage I: There is just one liver tumour that has been found
• Stage II: One tumour is present, but it has spread to the blood vessels, or there are several tumours, but they are all less than three centimetres in size.
• Stage III: Multiple tumours, at least one larger than 5 cm, or the cancer has progressed beyond the liver's original site.

Diagnosis

The diagnostic procedures and tests used to identify liver cancer are as follows:

• Blood Test : Blood testing can be used to identify abnormalities in liver function.
• Imaging Test: Your physician might advise an MRI, CT scan, or ultrasound
• Biopsy: To conduct tests, a sample of liver tissue is taken. It could be necessary to remove some liver tissue for laboratory testing in order to get a conclusive diagnosis of liver cancer. By passing a thin needle through your skin and into your liver, your doctor obtains a sample of tissue from your liver.
  To look for cancer cells, doctors examine the tissue under a microscope in the lab. A liver biopsy may cause bleeding, bruises, or infection as side effects.

Treatment

Treatment choices are influenced by your age, general health, and personal preferences in addition to the degree (stage) of primary liver cancer:

• Surgery: Depending on the severity of your condition, the surgeon may recommend removing your tumour or, in the event that your liver has sustained significant damage, a liver transplant.
• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is the application of chemicals to either eradicate or stop the growth of cancer cells. Chemotherapy (tablets or injections that go throughout the body) can have a systemic effect.
• Target therapy: Targeted therapy refers to medications that specifically target cancer genes or tissues. Targeted therapy differs from chemotherapy.
• Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy refers to the use of medications that direct the body's immune system to target cancer cells. It's not the same as chemotherapy either.