Liver Cancer

Liver cancer is a life-threatening disease and one of the most rapidly developing cancer kinds in the United States. There are two types of liver cancer: primary and secondary. Primary cancer starts in the liver. Secondary cancer spreads to the liver from another section of the body. This page provides an overview of primary liver cancers. Healthcare practitioners may do more to treat liver cancer early on, as they can with many other types of cancers. Unlike many types of cancer, healthcare experts understand what raises a person's risk of acquiring liver cancer. With that in mind, healthcare experts are working hard to identify those who are at a higher risk of developing primary liver cancer.

Type of liver cancer

There are three kinds of primary liver cancer:

• Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of liver cancer, accounting for nearly all cases.
• Intrahepatic carcinoma (IHC) is a type of cholangiocarcinoma. IHC is cancer in your liver’s bile ducts. It represents about 10% to 20% of all primary liver cancer cases.
• Angiosarcoma is a rare type of liver cancer that accounts for only about 1% of all primary cases. This cancer begins in the lining of blood cells in your liver. (Angiosarcoma may also affect other organs.)

Symptoms

When liver cancer is in its early stages, you may experience no symptoms at all. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHC) share similar symptoms:

• A lump under your rib cage, pain on the right side of your abdomen, or discomfort near your right shoulder.
• Jaundice is a disease in which the skin and eyes turn yellow.
• Unexpected weight loss, nausea, or loss of appetite.
• Fatigue.
• Dark-colored urine.

Causes

Liver cancer develops when something damages the DNA of healthy liver cells. DNA contains the genes that tell our cells how to function. We all have genes that determine when cells should grow, reproduce, and die. Oncogenes, for example, promote cell proliferation and division. Other genes, known as tumor suppressor genes, regulate cell activity, preventing cells from proliferating uncontrolled and ensuring cells die when they should.

Diagnosis

If your healthcare professional notices liver cancer signs and symptoms during your physical examination, they may suspect you of having the disease. They could order the following tests to learn more:

• Blood tests: Healthcare practitioners may do blood tests for cancer, such as a liver function test, to detect liver enzymes, proteins, and other substances that indicate whether your liver is healthy or damaged. They may check for alfa-fetoprotein (AFP). High AFP levels could suggest liver cancer.
• Ultrasound (sonography): This test produces images of your soft tissue structures. Ultrasound imaging is used by healthcare providers to detect liver tumors.
• Computed tomography (CT) scan: This type of X-ray produces detailed images of your liver, revealing the size and location of any liver tumors.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This test uses a large magnet, radio waves, and a computer to create extremely clear images of your body.
• Angiogram: This test allows healthcare providers to examine your liver's blood vessels. During this test, your healthcare provider injects dye into an artery to monitor blood vessel activity and look for blockages.
• Biopsy: A procedure in which healthcare providers remove liver tissue to look for signs of cancer. Biopsies are the most reliable way to confirm a liver cancer diagnosis.

Treatment

Healthcare professionals offer a variety of conventional therapies for HCC and IHC, including surgery to remove a portion of your liver, liver transplantation, and liver-directed treatments such as hepatic artery embolization and ablation. They may also employ various forms of chemotherapy, chemoembolization, radiation treatment, radioembolization, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy.

Prevention

While it is not possible to entirely avoid liver cancer, you can reduce your chances of developing it by doing the following:

• Avoid behaviors that can lead to cirrhosis.
• Achieve or sustain a healthy weight.
• Get a hepatitis B vaccination. This vaccine is safe for almost everyone. Consult your doctor about the hepatitis A vaccine.
• Avoid hepatitis C.
• If you have liver disease, diabetes, obesity, or are a frequent drinker, talk to your doctor about liver cancer screenings.

Conclusion

Liver cancer is a complex disease with several risk factors and treatment options. Early detection and prevention efforts are critical to mitigating its impact. Raising awareness about liver health, getting regular medical check-ups, and living a healthy lifestyle can all help to reduce the incidence of liver cancer worldwide. If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms connected to liver health, contact a healthcare expert right away to guarantee early intervention and the best potential outcomes.