Summary about Disease
Liver cancer is a cancer that begins in the cells of the liver. The liver is a vital organ located in the upper right portion of your abdomen, beneath your diaphragm and above your stomach. Several types of cancer can occur in the liver. The most common type of liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma, which begins in the main type of liver cell (hepatocyte). Other types of liver cancer, such as intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and hepatoblastoma, are much less common. Liver cancer can also occur when cancer spreads to the liver from another organ. This is called metastatic cancer rather than liver cancer, because it begins in another organ and only later spreads to the liver.
Symptoms
Symptoms of liver cancer often don't appear until the later stages of the disease. When they do appear, symptoms may include:
Weight loss without trying
Loss of appetite
Upper abdominal pain
Nausea and vomiting
General weakness and fatigue
Abdominal swelling
Yellow discoloration of your skin and the whites of your eyes (jaundice)
White, chalky stools
Causes
Liver cancer occurs when liver cells develop changes (mutations) in their DNA. These mutations cause cells to grow out of control and form a tumor. Some causes of liver cancer are:
Chronic Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection
Chronic Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection
Cirrhosis (scarring of the liver)
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Alcohol abuse
Aflatoxins (poisons produced by molds that can grow on improperly stored crops)
Hemochromatosis (an inherited disorder that causes your body to absorb too much iron from the food you eat)
Medicine Used
Treatment for liver cancer depends on the stage and type of cancer, as well as the patient's overall health. Medications used in liver cancer treatment may include:
Targeted drug therapy: Drugs that block specific abnormalities present within cancer cells. Examples include sorafenib, lenvatinib, regorafenib, cabozantinib, and ramucirumab.
Immunotherapy: Drugs that help your body's immune system fight the cancer. Examples include atezolizumab, nivolumab, and pembrolizumab.
Chemotherapy: While less commonly used for liver cancer than other cancers, chemotherapy drugs can be used to kill cancer cells or slow their growth.
Other Treatments Radiation therapy, surgery and liver transplant are also used to treat liver cancer.
Is Communicable
Liver cancer itself is not communicable. It is not contagious and cannot be spread from person to person through any means. However, some of the underlying causes of liver cancer, such as hepatitis B and C, are communicable through blood, semen, or other bodily fluids.
Precautions
Precautions to reduce your risk of liver cancer include:
Get vaccinated against hepatitis B: The hepatitis B vaccine is safe and effective and can prevent HBV infection.
Take precautions to prevent hepatitis C: Avoid behaviors that can lead to HCV infection, such as sharing needles for intravenous drug use and unprotected sex.
Limit alcohol consumption: If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation. For healthy adults, that means up to one drink a day for women and up to two drinks a day for men.
Maintain a healthy weight: Obesity increases your risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, which can lead to liver cancer.
Treat underlying liver conditions: If you have cirrhosis or another liver condition, follow your doctor's recommendations for treatment and monitoring.
Consider screening if you have risk factors: People with chronic hepatitis B or C, cirrhosis, or other risk factors may benefit from regular screening for liver cancer.
How long does an outbreak last?
Liver cancer is not an infectious disease that causes outbreaks. It develops over time due to genetic mutations and other factors. Therefore, the concept of an "outbreak" does not apply to liver cancer. The disease progression varies from person to person.
How is it diagnosed?
Liver cancer is diagnosed through a combination of methods, including:
Physical Exam and History: The doctor will ask about your medical history and perform a physical exam to look for signs of liver disease.
Blood Tests: Liver function tests can help detect abnormalities in liver function. Tumor markers, such as alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), may be elevated in some people with liver cancer.
Imaging Tests: CT scans, MRI scans, and ultrasounds can help visualize the liver and detect tumors.
Liver Biopsy: A small sample of liver tissue is removed and examined under a microscope to confirm the diagnosis and determine the type of liver cancer.
Timeline of Symptoms
The timeline of symptoms for liver cancer is variable and depends on the stage of the disease. In early stages, there may be no symptoms at all. As the cancer progresses, symptoms may develop gradually over weeks or months.
Early stages: Often asymptomatic.
Later stages: Symptoms like weight loss, abdominal pain, jaundice, and swelling may appear and worsen over time.
Important Considerations
Early detection is crucial: Because liver cancer often doesn't cause symptoms until the later stages, early detection is key to improving treatment outcomes. People with risk factors should discuss screening options with their doctor.
Treatment is complex: Treatment for liver cancer is complex and requires a multidisciplinary approach. It may involve surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, liver transplant, or a combination of these treatments.
Prognosis varies: The prognosis for liver cancer depends on the stage of the cancer, the type of cancer, the patient's overall health, and the response to treatment.
Clinical trials: Consider participation in clinical trials. These research studies may offer access to new and promising treatments.
Palliative care: Palliative care focuses on providing relief from pain and other symptoms of serious illness. It can improve the quality of life for people with liver cancer and their families.