Liver Cancer - Incidence, Symptoms, Causation, Treatment and Prognosis
Liver cancer also known as primary or metastatic hepatic carcinoma is a fairly rare form of cancer in the western world (1% of all cancers) but much more common in Africa and parts of Asia (10% to 50% of all cancers).It is much more prevalent in men and incidence increases with age. Liver cancer is rapidly fatal, usually within 6 months from gastrointestinal hemorrhage, hepatic failure or metastasis.
TYPES OF LIVE CANCER
Most primary liver tumors are known as hepatomas (hepatocellular carcinoma and primary lower cell carcinoma). Some primary liver cancers originate in the bile duct and these are known as cholangiomas.Some rare liver cancers include Kupffer cell sarcoma and hepatoblastomas (which occur almost exclusively in children and are usually respectable and curable). Metastatic liver cancer is 20 times more common than primary liver cancer and after cirrhosis this is the leading form of liver related death.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Liver cancer does not normally cause symptoms until it is in an advanced stage.
Clinical effects of advanced liver cancers include:
1. A mass in the right upper side.
2. Tender, nodular liver on palpation
3. Severe pain in the epigastrium or upper right side
4. Weight loss, anorexia, weakness, fever
5. Occasional jaundice or ascites (fluid in the abdomen)
CAUSATION
The exact cause of liver cancer is unknown in adults but in children it may be a genetic disease. Adult liver carcinomas may result from environmental exposure to carcinogens such as mold, contrast media (no longer in use), androgens and oral estrogens, the hepatitis B virus or by damage to the liver due to cirrhosis caused by too much prolonged imbibing of alcohol.
DIAGNOSIS
Liver cancer is difficult to diagnose in the presence of cirrhosis, but several tests can help identify it: The combination of an imaging study (ultrasound, CT, or MRI scans) and an elevated blood level of alpha-fetoprotein will most effectively diagnose liver cancer, electrolyte studies may indicate increased sodium retention, a liver biopsy can make a definitive diagnosis.
TREATMENT
Treatments for primary liver cancer depend on the extent (stage) of the disease, age, overall health, feelings and personal preferences. Surgery is the most effective treatment for primary liver cancer, but this is not always possible due to the size or position of the tumor. Radiofrequency ablation is an option for people with small, unresectable hepatocellular tumors and for some types of metastatic liver cancers. During this procedure, the hepatic artery (the artery from which liver cancers derive their blood supply) is blocked, and chemotherapy drugs are injected between the blockage and the liver. Cryoablation may be an option for people with inoperable primary and metastatic liver cancers. Removing the whole liver and replacing it with a liver from another person is another possible form of treatment for primary liver cancer.
Even when treatments fail to provide much improvement in the liver cancer itself, pain and other signs and symptoms caused by liver cancer can be aggressively treated to improve quality of life. In general, the treatments available for children are the same as for adults, and the best approach depends on the stage and type of cancer as well as the child's age and overall health.
PROGNOSIS
Prognosis is poor when cancer is advanced, but for small tumors that are confined to the liver, ablative therapies are palliative and surgical resection or liver transplantation is sometimes curative.
Related Tags: cancer, liver disease, liver cancer, liver carcinoma, hepatic cancer
Dick Aronson has a background of over 35 years in various facets of the Healthcare industry. He set up and ran clinical trials in more than 20 countries and he has also founded a number of private health related businesses. Dick runs a number of health related sites which can be found at Go to Health Innovations Online
Your Article Search Directory : Find in ArticlesRecent articles in this category:
- Cancer Prevention With Omega-3 - Does it Really Help?
Cancer is a disease that can affect any one at any age. 13% of the deaths in the year 2007 were caus - Themes For Relay For Life
There are millions of charities and fundraisers going on at this very moment. You probably have boug - Different Asbestos-Containing Products
The most serious type of asbestos is part of the chrysoltil class. Chrysotile comes from serpentine - Prostate Health and Oyster Extract
Prostate problems affect a large percentage of the male population over 50 years of age. These probl - The Importance of Prostate Cancer Checks
Prostate cancer is currently the most common cancer among men in the UK. According the latest availa - Traditional Versus Minimally Invasive Lung Cancer Surgery
There are a number of reasons surgery is performed on the lungs. The most common reason involves can - How To Slash Your Prostate Cancer Risk - With Sunlight!
According to a study published in the British Journal of Cancer 2009; 100: 450-454, men with prostat - How to Prevent Cancers Psychological Impact?
Cancer is, as we know, a life changing experience for the cancer sufferer, their friends and familie - Targeted Therapy- A New Way of Treating Mesothelioma
Conventional Mesothelioma cancer treatment consists mainly of three main options- surgery, chemother - Vitamin a - Possible New Drug For Mesothelioma
Vitamin A is a very important vitamin to maintaining health. Vitamin A is found in foods like carrot
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Lung Cancer: The Importance Of Early Detection
Cancer is a serious health problem in America, all around the world for that matter. Each year, a la - Norwalk Juicers And Gerson Therapy Can Help In The Battle With Cancer
The Story of Norwalk Juicers The story of the Norwalk Juicer began a long time ago. The developmen - Protection Against Digestive Cancer
There are numerous types of cancer that affect different areas of our digestive systems. Two of the - Flax - A Role In The Treatment Of Cancer
Lignan, a fiber found in flax, is the latest hope in the treatment of cancer Flax - the plant that g - Lung Cancer: Effective Treatment Options
Lung cancer is defined as a tumor on the lungs. That tumor is known as being malignant. Due to the r - Chemotherapy's Effect on the Brain Only Temporary - New Research Shows
New research shows that chemotherapy may be responsible for the shrinkage of key brain areas, but th - What Is The Diet's Role In Colon Cancer
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in both the USA and Europe, and colon cancer is the mos - How To Restart or Boost Your Body's Own Built-in Cancer Fighting Machine
As you may know, cancer is second only to heart disease in mortality. An amazing one-third of Americ - Prostate Cancer Guide
Prostate cancer is caused by malignant tumors in the prostate gland, and is the leading cancer affec - Chemotherapy: Do Is Really Cause Cancer?Â
The fantastic science of chemotherapy began because it was noticed that Mustard Gas caused the destr