Liver Cancer
Liver cancer is a life-threatening malignant (cancerous) tumor in the liver. The liver is the largest organ in your body. It is also one of the most crucial organs, as no one can survive without a liver. 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.
Types of liver cancer
There are three types of primary liver cancers:
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
- Intrahepatic cancer (IHC)
- Hepatic angiosarcoma
Symptoms
The three types of liver cancer produce similar symptoms. Liver cancer symptoms can include:
- Dark-colored pee, grey, or pale poop
- Unexplained bruises
- Fatigue
- Fever
- A hard bump or lump on the right side of the body, just below the rib cage.
- Itchy skin
- Lack of appetite or unexplained weight loss
- Nausea and vomiting
- Upper abdominal pain on the right side of the body, or swollen abdomen
- Yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes due to jaundice
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. Tumor suppressor genes prevent cells from proliferating uncontrolled. In addition, they ensure that cells die when they should. When our DNA mutates or changes, our cells receive new instructions. Certain medical disorders and other concerns can alter your liver’s DNA, increasing your chances of getting liver cancer.
Diagnosis
Your healthcare provider will do a physical examination. They’ll ask about your symptoms and may do the following tests:
- Angiogram
- Blood tests
- CT scan
- ERCP test
- Liver ultrasound
- MRI
Your provider may do a liver biopsy if blood and other tests detect cancer in your liver. Biopsies are the most reliable way to confirm a liver cancer diagnosis.
Stage of liver cancer
Cancer staging is how doctors diagnose the disease and plan treatment. Providers utilize the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer System (BCLC) to stage liver cancer. This approach analyzes your symptoms, liver function, and tumor size. Your clinician may use different names to describe each BCLC stage. They may use words such as stage I to stage V, stage O to C, or early-/advanced-stage liver cancer.
- Stage I/stage O/very early stage
- Stage II/stage A/early stage
- Stage III/stage B/intermediate stage
- Stage IV/stage C/advanced stage.
Treatment
Healthcare providers may use medical treatments or surgery to treat liver cancer. Medical treatments can include:
- Chemotherapy
- Chemoembolization
- Immunotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Radioembolization
- Targeted therapy
Surgical treatments may be:
- Ablation
- Hepatectomy (liver resection)
- Liver transplantation
Prevention
You may be unable to prevent liver cancer. However, taking the following steps may lower your risk:
- Obtain a hepatitis B shot.
- Protect yourself from hepatitis C (avoid contact with infected blood and never share needles or syringes).
- If you smoke, try to quit. If you require assistance, consult your healthcare team about smoking cessation programs.
- Reduce or stop drinking alcohol. Large amounts of alcohol increase the risk of cirrhosis, which can lead to liver cancer.
- Reach or maintain the weight that is appropriate for you.
- Consult your doctor about liver cancer screening.
Conclusion
Liver cancer is a serious and potentially fatal disease, but with early detection and adequate treatment, the outcome can be improved. If you are at risk, regular monitoring and lifestyle changes are essential for preventing or treating the disease. If you have risk factors for liver cancer, always consult a healthcare professional.
