Liver Cancer Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment. Your liver is an organ located in the upper right part of your abdominal cavity, under the diaphragm and above the stomach. Liver cancer is cancer that occurs in the cells of your liver, and it ranks sixth among the most common cancer types in the world. Hepatitis B and C infections are the most important cause of liver cancer. Liver cancer can also develop by spreading cancerous cells from other organs to the liver. In this text, we will explain lung cancer causes, symptoms, and treatment below.
Liver Cancer
The liver is the second largest organ in the body after the skin. It is located under your right lung and is protected by the lower ribs. The liver is divided into two main lobes; right and left lobes. Each of these lobes is also divided into segments.
The most common form of liver cancer begins in cells called hepatocytes, and it is called hepatocellular carcinoma. Other types of liver cancer such as intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and hepatoblastoma are less common. Not all cancers affecting the liver are considered liver cancer. Cancer that begins in another part of the body such as lung or breast, and then spreads to the liver, is called metastatic cancer instead of liver cancer.
Liver Cancer Causes
- Chronic infection with HBV or HCV. Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) increases your risk of liver cancer. You can reduce your risk of hepatitis B with the hepatitis B vaccine, which provides more than ninety percent protection for both adults and children. The vaccine is for almost anyone, including infants, elderly adults, and those with weak immune systems.
- Cirrhosis
- Inherited liver diseases
- Liver diseases such as hemochromatosis and Wilson’s disease may increase the risk of liver cancer.
- Hypoglycemia (a disorder involving blood glucose levels)
- People with high blood sugar have a higher risk of liver cancer than those without diabetes.
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
- Fatty liver disease (an accumulation of fat in liver cells)
- Exposure to aflatoxins (Aflatoxins are poisons produced by molds grown in crops stored in poor conditions.)
- Drinking too much alcohol
Liver Cancer Symptoms
- Abdominal bloating
- Jaundice (Yellow Skin)
- Itching
- Loss of appetite
- Unexplained weight loss
- Night Sweats
- Dark urine
- Pale stools (clay-colored)
- Right-upper quadrant abdominal pain
Liver Cancer Diagnosis
Although the chance of an early diagnosis of liver cancer is very low, especially in high-risk patients with regular check-ups, you can catch the disease before proceeding. The diagnosis can be made by ultrasonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. In addition, an Alpha-Fetoprotein test is performed.
Liver Cancer Treatment
There are various treatment methods in liver cancers. The stage of cancer and the health of the rest of the liver are important when making the treatment plan. The main treatment options for liver cancer are:
- Surgery (partial hepatectomy for liver transplantation)
- Regional therapies (such as radiofrequency ablation)
- Chemotherapy
- Radiotherapy
Patients should get health checkups at certain intervals after completing the treatment process, and the liver and intra-abdominal organs are checked by ultrasonography, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. Recurrence of cancer cases can usually take two to three years. In recurrent cases, the condition of the cancer is intervened again with the appropriate treatment method.
Reduce the Risk of Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is a liver injury and increases the risk of liver cancer. You can reduce the risk of cirrhosis:
- If you choose to use alcohol, limit the amount of your drink. In women, this amount means not to drink more than one glass per day. For men, it means not to drink more than two glasses a day.
- You should maintain your healthy weight. If your current weight is healthy, try to maintain it by exercising most days a week and choosing a healthy diet. If you need to lose weight, reduce the number of calories you get each day and increase the amount of exercise.
- You need to be careful about chemicals. Follow the instructions for the chemicals you use at home or at work.
