Liver Cancer

Liver cancer is a serious disease in which malignant (cancerous) cells grow and multiply within the liver. The liver is a vital organ with many important functions, such as filtering toxins from the blood, producing bile for digestion, and storing nutrients. When cancer cells interfere with these functions, it can lead to severe health problems.

Types of Liver Cancer

Liver cancer is broadly categorized into two main types:

• Primary Liver Cancer: This is cancer that originates in the liver. The most common form is Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC), which starts in the main liver cells called hepatocytes. Other, less common types include cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) and angiosarcoma.

• Secondary (Metastatic) Liver Cancer: This is more common than primary liver cancer. It occurs when cancer from another part of the body, such as the colon, lungs, or breast, spreads to the liver.

Symptoms

In its early stages, liver cancer often doesn't show any obvious symptoms. As the cancer grows, symptoms may include:

• Pain or discomfort in the upper right side of the abdomen.

• Unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite.

• Nausea and vomiting.

• Jaundice: Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, which occurs when the liver can no longer process bilirubin.

• Swelling of the abdomen (ascites) due to fluid buildup.

• Unusual fatigue and weakness.

• Pale, chalky stools and dark urine.

Risk Factors

The exact cause of liver cancer is not fully known, but several factors significantly increase a person's risk:

• Chronic Hepatitis B (HBV) or Hepatitis C (HCV) infection: These viruses can cause long-term inflammation of the liver, leading to cirrhosis and cancer.

• Cirrhosis: This is a condition where healthy liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue, which is the biggest risk factor for HCC. It can be caused by various factors, including chronic hepatitis and excessive alcohol consumption.

• Excessive alcohol consumption: Heavy drinking over many years can lead to liver damage and cirrhosis.

• Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): An accumulation of fat in the liver that is not caused by alcohol. It is often linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes.

• Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes: Both conditions are linked to a higher risk of liver cancer.

• Smoking: Tobacco use is a known risk factor.

• Exposure to certain toxins: Exposure to substances like aflatoxins, which are poisons produced by molds that can grow on poorly stored crops, can increase the risk.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis typically involves a physical exam, blood tests to check liver function and for tumor markers, and imaging scans (like ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI) to find tumors. A biopsy may be performed to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment for liver cancer depends on the type, size, and stage of the cancer, as well as the patient's overall health. Options may include:

• Surgery: This can involve removing the cancerous part of the liver (partial hepatectomy) or, in some cases, a liver transplant.

• Tumor Ablation: Procedures that use heat (radiofrequency or microwave ablation) or cold (cryoablation) to destroy small tumors.

• Embolization: A procedure to block the blood supply to the tumor, cutting off its nutrients and causing it to shrink.

• Radiation Therapy: Using high-energy rays to kill cancer cells.

• Targeted Therapy and Immunotherapy: Newer medications that either target specific cancer cells or boost the body's immune system to fight the cancer.

• Chemotherapy: The use of drugs to kill cancer cells, sometimes delivered directly to the liver.

Early detection is crucial for a better prognosis, and prevention through vaccination against hepatitis B, managing underlying liver diseases, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle are key to reducing risk.