Liver cancer is cancer that begins in the cells of your liver. Several types of cancer can form in the liver. The most common type of liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma. It begins in the main type of liver cell and the types of liver cancer are much less common. Cancer that spreads to the liver is more common than cancer that begins in the liver cells.
Symptoms of Liver Cancer
When liver cancer is in the early stages, you may have no symptoms at all. If your liver is swollen, you might notice the following symptoms:
- A lump below the rib cage or pain on the right side of the abdomen
- Pain near the right shoulder
- Jaundice
- Nausea
- Unexplained weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Dark-colored urine
- Fatigue and bloating
Types of Liver Cancer
- Hepatocellular carcinoma or hepatoma. It is the most common type of liver cancer. Hepatoma starts in hepatocellular cells and most of them result in infection with hepatitis B, C, or cirrhosis.
- Fibrolamellar HCC. It is a rare type but more responsive to treatment than other types of liver cancer. Fibrolamellar cancer is treated similarly to HCC.
- Cholangiocarcinoma or bile duct cancer. It occurs in the small, tube-like bile ducts within the liver that carry bile to the gallbladder.
- Angiosarcoma. It begins in the blood vessels of the liver and grows quickly. They are typically diagnosed at an advanced stage.
- Secondary liver cancer. It develops when primary cancer from another part of the body spreads to the liver. Secondary liver cancers are more common than primary liver cancers.
- Hepatoblastoma. It is the most common liver cancer in pediatric patients. It occurs in the lobes of the liver.
Causes and Risk Factors of Liver Cancer
Liver cancer happens when liver cells develop mutations in their DNA. DNA mutations cause changes in these instructions. One result can be the growth of uncontrolled cells that eventually become a tumor. Hepatitis infections are typical causes of liver cancer but sometimes there are no specific diseases that trigger it. Risk Factors includes:
- Chronic infection with HBV or HCV
- Cirrhosis
- Certain inherited liver diseases
- Diabetes
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
- Exposure to aflatoxins
- Excessive alcohol consumption
How to Diagnose Liver Cancer?
- Blood tests. These tests measure the amounts of certain substances that have been linked to cancer.
- Ultrasound. This test produces pictures of the soft tissue structures in your body.
- Computed Tomography. Images of organs can be captured with this specialized type of X-ray.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). A large magnet, radio waves, and a computer are used to produce very clear images of the human body.
- Angiogram. A dye is injected into an artery during this test to display the liver tissue and any tumors.
- Laparoscopy. The doctor uses a thin tube with a light to observe the liver and other organs inside the stomach area.
Treatment for Liver Cancer
Treatments for liver cancer depend on the stage of the condition. Typical treatment includes:
- Liver transplant surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Targeted drug therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Chemotherapy
- Surgery to remove the tumor
- For liver care, you can also take Milk Thistle Capsule.