Liver Cancer
What Happens In Liver Cancer?
Cancer starts in the liver’s cells. The liver is a football-sized organ located in the stomach’s upper right corner. In the early stages of liver cancer, symptoms are rare. Weight loss and stomach aches are possible later signs.
The liver is found below the ribs in the right upper quadrant of the belly. It’s in charge of creating bile, a chemical that aids in the digestion of fats, vitamins, and other nutrients. This important organ also stores nutrients like glucose, allowing you to stay nourished even when you aren’t eating. It also degrades poisons and drugs.
When cancer strikes the liver, it damages liver cells and impairs the organ’s capacity to function normally. Primary and secondary liver cancers are the two types of liver cancer. Primary liver cancer starts in the liver cells. When cancer cells from another organ move to the liver, it is known as secondary liver cancer.
Causes
The exact causes of liver cancer are unknown to doctors. Cirrhosis, on the other hand, is linked to the majority of liver malignancies. According to the American Cancer Society, the most common causes of liver cancer in the United States are persistent infections with the hepatitis B or C viruses.
Because both types of viruses can cause cirrhosis, people with either virus have a much higher chance of acquiring liver cancer than healthy people. Cirrhosis is caused by genetic liver illnesses such as hemochromatosis, which also increases the risk of liver cancer.
Symptoms
The signs of liver cancer usually do not appear until the disease has progressed to an advanced stage. Liver cancer may cause the following:
- Jaundice, where the skin and eyes become yellow
- Pain close to the right shoulder blade
- Abdominal pain
- An enlarged liver, spleen, or both
- Unexplained weight loss
- Swelling in the abdomen or fluid buildup
- Nausea, fatigue and back pain
- Vomiting
- A full feeling after a small meal
Diagnosis
A medical history and physical examination are used to diagnose liver cancer. If you have a history of long-term alcohol misuse or a chronic hepatitis B or C infection, make sure to tell your doctor. The following tests and methods are used to diagnose liver cancer:
- Liver function test: By monitoring the amounts of proteins, liver enzymes, and bilirubin in your blood, liver function tests help your doctor estimate the health of your liver.
- AFP Test: The presence of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in the blood can indicate that the patient is suffering from liver cancer. Before a baby is born, this protein is normally solely generated in the liver and yolk sac. After birth, AFP production usually ceases.
- CT Scans: CT or MRI scans of the abdomen generate detailed images of the liver and other organs. They can help your doctor establish where a tumour is growing, the size of the tumour, and whether it has spread to other organs.
- Liver Biopsy: A liver biopsy is another option for diagnosis. A little bit of liver tissue is removed during a liver biopsy. It is always performed under anaesthesia to ensure that you do not experience any pain during the process.
Diagnosis
A medical history and physical examination are used to diagnose liver cancer. If you have a history of long-term alcohol misuse or a chronic hepatitis B or C infection, make sure to tell your doctor. The following tests and methods are used to diagnose liver cancer:
- Liver function test: By monitoring the amounts of proteins, liver enzymes, and bilirubin in your blood, liver function tests help your doctor estimate the health of your liver.
- AFP Test: The presence of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in the blood can indicate that the patient is suffering from liver cancer. Before a baby is born, this protein is normally solely generated in the liver and yolk sac. After birth, AFP production usually ceases.
- CT Scans: CT or MRI scans of the abdomen generate detailed images of the liver and other organs. They can help your doctor establish where a tumour is growing, the size of the tumour, and whether it has spread to other organs.
- Liver Biopsy: A liver biopsy is another option for diagnosis. A little bit of liver tissue is removed during a liver biopsy. It is always performed under anaesthesia to ensure that you do not experience any pain during the process.
Treatment
Treatment options vary but may include liver removal, transplantation, chemotherapy, and, in certain circumstances, radiation.
Surgeries:
- TAE (Transarterial Embolization)
- Major and Minor Hepatectomy
- Trans Arterial Radioembolization (TARE)
- Liver Transplant
- Radiofrequency and Microwave Ablation T
- rans Arterial Chemoembolization (TACE)
- Targeted Therapy