Liver cancer is a fatal disease that has affected millions across the globe. It is caused due to abnormal cell growth in the liver, which proliferates without restraint and then transforms into a tumour. Left untreated, it can metastasize into other parts of the body. The liver is an organ that performs the critical functions of detoxifying harmful substances and producing proteins. So, when the liver is affected by cancer, a person’s health, in general, may begin degrading along with his/her standard of living.
What is Liver Cancer?
Liver cancer is the uncontrolled development of abnormal liver cells, forming a tumour. However, its most common form is hepatocellular carcinoma, and forms such as intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and hepatoblastoma are also possible. According to the cause, it can be classified as primary if the cancer starts within the liver or secondary if the starting cancer elsewhere becomes secondarily located in the liver. This is for proper treatment, as treatment options vary.
Symptoms of Liver Cancer
Liver cancer typically does not come with symptoms when discovered early. In cases where symptoms appear, they can include:
- Unintended loss of weight.
- Loss of appetite.
- Pain in the upper abdomen.
- Ascites swelling within the abdomen.
- Jaundice, or yellowing skin and eyes.
- Fatigue or weakness.
These should prompt immediate consultations with a health care provider, especially among those with the risk factors.
Risk Factors for Liver Cancer
Some of these risk factors for liver cancer include:
- Chronic hepatitis B or C: Long-term infections damage the liver and increase the risk to cancer. Cirrhosis: The liver is scarred severely and can be caused by alcohol abuse, hepatitis, and fatty liver disease.
- Alcohol abuse: Drinking heavily over the years kills liver cells, putting a person at risk of this type of cancer.
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: This is associated with obesity and diabetes and potentially progresses to cirrhosis and cancer.
- Exposure to aflatoxin: It occurs within contaminated crops, putting at more risk those who ingest them.
- Family history: People with a family history of this disease are also at greater risk, especially if one of the family members has had liver cancer.
By avoiding alcohol misuse and maintaining a healthy weight, among other initiatives in reducing the risk factors, you stand the best chance of lowering your chances of developing liver cancer.
How Is Liver Cancer Diagnosed?
Liver cancer can be diagnosed with a variety of methods doctors use to understand the patient’s diagnosis. Some of these include:
- Blood tests: These test liver function and monitor for markers such as alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) that may indicate cancer.
- Imaging tests: Ultrasound, CT scans, and MRIs are used for tumour detection.
- Liver Biopsy: In the process, a small tissue sample of the liver is acquired to determine if such tissue contains cancerous cells.
Management of Liver Cancer
The treatment of liver cancer varies on several factors, such as the size and location of the tumour and the general health of the patient. Some other treatments administered to the patients are:
- Surgery: During the primary level of the disease, several portions of the liver may be stripped off, or during the final stage of the disease, a liver transplant will be required.
- Radiofrequency ablation (RFA): Tissue is destroyed through heat; often for small tumor, or a patient who cannot undergo surgical intervention. .
- Targeted therapy: Sorafenib is an example of a drug that slows the growth of cancer cells by affecting specific cell functions.
- Radiation therapy: High-energy rays destroy or prevent cancer cells from growing.
- Immunotherapy: One helps boost the body’s immune system to become better at killing the cancer cells.
- Chemotherapy: Drugs that can destroy or slow the growth of cancer cells. This is not usually the first kind of treatment for liver cancer, however.
Stages of Liver Cancer and Prognosis
As liver cancer stages depend on how far the cancer has spread:
– Stage 1: The cancer is small and confined within the confines of the liver.
– Stage 2: Several small-size tumours or one tumour has blood vessels within it.
– Stage 3: Structures near the cancerous area are involved but not distant organs.
– Stage 4: The cancer spreads to distant organs such as lungs or bones.
The stage of cancer defines the preferred treatment. Early-stage liver cancer will be treated better; however, in advanced stages, the treatment remains primarily palliative or for symptom control and quality of life.
Prevention of Liver Cancer
Not all liver cancers are preventable, but you can do the following to lower your risk:
- Be vaccinated for hepatitis B: This is one of the significant causes of liver cancer. Consider vaccination.
- Avoid exposure to hepatitis C: This may be prevented with safe behaviours, such as injecting a needle if you must share and using condoms.
- Alcohol consumption: Excessive alcohol ingestion may result in the development of cirrhosis as well as scarring of the liver.
- Maintain a healthy weight: Individuals with conditions of obesity are at a risk of developing fatty liver disease.
- Regular screenings: Many cases of cancer are diagnosed in their early stages through regular check-ups if there is a genetic history or predisposition to have a condition.
Conclusion:
This is a complex disease, but proper knowledge of symptoms, causes, and treatment options leads to better conditions for improving the cure. Even prevention, through lifestyle changes and medical check-ups, reduces risk factors. Treatment of liver cancer, if early diagnosis takes place, can certainly increase the potential for better recovery chances.
Please visit the SingHealth Liver Cancer Information page for more on liver cancer and treatment. HealthXchange Singapore has more exciting information on liver cancer.
