Simply put, any cancer that begins in the cells of the liver is called
liver cancer. There are several different types of liver cancer, however, and
the type of cancer depends on where in the liver the cancer starts.
Hepatocellular carcinoma, which begins in the hepatocyte cells, is the most
common type of liver cancer. Other types of liver cancer are much more rare.
When liver cancer is diagnosed, your doctor will determine which type of liver
cancer you have.
Liver cancer is most commonly seen in individuals who have chronic liver
infections, such as hepatitis B or hepatitis C, have cirrhosis, non-fatty liver
disease or other liver diseases and drink excessively for long periods of time.
Diabetes and obesity are also known risk factors for liver disease. Rarely,
exposure to aflatoxins, poisonous molds that grow on improperly stored crops,
can also cause liver cancer. It's important to keep in mind, however, that
having risk factors does not necessarily mean you'll develop liver cancer. If
you're considered high risk, talk to your doctor about ways you might be able
to lower your risk.
Liver cancer does not produce signs and symptoms in the early stages,
making early detection and treatment difficult. When symptoms do appear, they
usually include unexplained weight loss, yellowing of the skin and eyes
(jaundice), white or chalky stools, weakness and fatigue, upper abdominal pain
and swelling and loss of appetite. If you experience any of the symptoms of
liver cancer, you should talk to your doctor as soon as possible, so an
accurate diagnosis can be made and treatment can begin right away.
If liver cancer is suspected, your doctor will run a series of medical
tests to determine whether or not your symptoms are caused by liver cancer.
These tests may include blood and imaging tests, as well as biopsies for
testing liver tissue. If cancer cells are found, your doctor may need to run
additional tests to determine which stage your liver cancer is in, as well as
what your options for treatment may be.
Once a full diagnosis is made, your doctor will work with you and a team of
specialists to decide on the best course of treatment. It's important that you
ask any questions you may have about your treatment options, and work with your
doctor as a team to come up with treatments that work well for you. Treatments
for liver cancer may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, embolization
techniques (such as chemoembolization, in which chemo is injected directly into
the liver) and surgery. Your doctor may also determine whether you should be
considered for a liver transplant, if necessary.
Early detection and treatment of liver cancer offers the best chance at a
successful recover. The farther the cancer progresses, the more difficult it
becomes to treat. In more advanced stages, treatment may focus more on making
you more comfortable and extending life, rather than trying to remove or
eradicate the cancer.
