Liver cancer

Alternative Names

Liver cancer

What is Liver cancer

Liver cancer is a type of cancer characterizing by abnormal cells in the liver that multiply out of control. These cells can form tumors and spread to other parts of the body. Primary liver cancer that starts in the cells of the liver is divided into different types based on the kind of cells that become cancerous. Types include the followings:

• Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common form of primary liver cancer. It starts in the hepatocytes, the main type of liver cell.
• Cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) begins in the small tube-like bile ducts within the liver.
• Hepatoblastoma is a form of liver cancer that affects infants and young children.
• Angiosarcoma or hemangiosarcoma begins in the blood vessels of the liver and grows very quickly.

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms of liver cancer commonly do not occur until the disease is advanced. They include:

• Unexplained weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Feeling full after a small meal
• Pain or swelling, especially in the upper-right abdomen
• A yellow tint in the skin and eyes
• Liver enlargement or a mass in the area of the liver
• Low blood sugar

Possible complications

Liver cancer can cause such complications as:

• Budd-Chiari syndrome
• Cancer spread to other organs
• Internal bleeding:
• Gastrointestinal bleeding
• Liver failure
• Tumor rupture

What causes

There is no exact cause of most cases of liver cancer. In some cases, this disease can be caused by chronic infection with certain hepatitis viruses.

Prevention

Most cases of primary liver cancer can be prevented. There are certain steps to prevent the disease:

• Get vaccinated against hepatitis B.
• Do not have unprotected sex. Use a latex or polyurethane condom.
• Wear latex gloves when handling items that have been in contact with someone else's blood or bodily fluids.
• Don't share personal items such as razors, toothbrushes or earrings.
• Make sure needles used for body piercing or tattoos are properly sterilized.
• Limit the amount of alcohol you drink to no more than two drinks per day to decrease your risk of cirrhosis.
• Maintain a healthy body weight.
• Eat a diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables.
• Exercise regularly.

Treatment

In general, the treatment for liver cancer depends on the stage and spread of the disease at the time of diagnosis. Treatment usually includes some combination of chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery.

Treatment for liver cancer includes:

• Chemotherapy- Sorafenib (Nexavar), Sunitinib (Sutent), Erlotinib (Tarceva), Sirolimus (Rapamune)
• Chemoembolization- chemotherapy medications are injected into the arteries that supply the tumors with blood
• Partial hepatectomy- a portion of the liver is removed.
• Radiofrequency ablation- radiowave energy destroys the liver cancer tumors
• Ethanol or acetic acid ablation- chemicals are injected into the tumor in order to destroy them.
• Liver transplant