| Liver cancer also known as primary or metastatic | | | | damage to the liver due to cirrhosis caused by |
| hepatic carcinoma is a fairly rare form of cancer | | | | too much prolonged imbibing of alcohol. |
| in the western world (1% of all cancers) but much | | | | DIAGNOSIS |
| more common in Africa and parts of Asia (10% | | | | Liver cancer is difficult to diagnose in the presence |
| to 50% of all cancers). It is much more prevalent | | | | of cirrhosis, but several tests can help identify it: |
| in men and incidence increases with age. Liver | | | | The combination of an imaging study (ultrasound, |
| cancer is rapidly fatal, usually within 6 months | | | | CT, or MRI scans) and an elevated blood level of |
| from gastrointestinal hemorrhage, hepatic failure | | | | alpha-fetoprotein will most effectively diagnose |
| or metastasis. | | | | liver cancer, electrolyte studies may indicate |
| TYPES OF LIVE CANCER | | | | increased sodium retention, a liver biopsy can |
| Most primary liver tumors are known as | | | | make a definitive diagnosis. |
| hepatomas (hepatocellular carcinoma and primary | | | | TREATMENT |
| lower cell carcinoma). Some primary liver cancers | | | | Treatments for primary liver cancer depend on |
| originate in the bile duct and these are known as | | | | the extent (stage) of the disease, age, overall |
| cholangiomas. Some rare liver cancers include | | | | health, feelings and personal preferences. Surgery |
| Kupffer cell sarcoma and hepatoblastomas (which | | | | is the most effective treatment for primary liver |
| occur almost exclusively in children and are usually | | | | cancer, but this is not always possible due to the |
| respectable and curable). Metastatic liver cancer is | | | | size or position of the tumor. Radiofrequency |
| 20 times more common than primary liver cancer | | | | ablation is an option for people with small, |
| and after cirrhosis this is the leading form of liver | | | | unresectable hepatocellular tumors and for some |
| related death. | | | | types of metastatic liver cancers. During this |
| SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS | | | | procedure, the hepatic artery (the artery from |
| Liver cancer does not normally cause symptoms | | | | which liver cancers derive their blood supply) is |
| until it is in an advanced stage. | | | | blocked, and chemotherapy drugs are injected |
| Clinical effects of advanced liver cancers include: | | | | between the blockage and the liver. Cryoablation |
| 1. A mass in the right upper side. | | | | may be an option for people with inoperable |
| 2. Tender, nodular liver on palpation | | | | primary and metastatic liver cancers. Removing |
| 3. Severe pain in the epigastrium or upper right | | | | the whole liver and replacing it with a liver from |
| side | | | | another person is another possible form of |
| 4. Weight loss, anorexia, weakness, fever | | | | treatment for primary liver cancer. |
| 5. Occasional jaundice or ascites (fluid in the | | | | Even when treatments fail to provide much |
| abdomen) | | | | improvement in the liver cancer itself, pain and |
| CAUSE OF LIVER CANCER | | | | other signs and symptoms caused by liver cancer |
| The exact cause of liver cancer is unknown in | | | | can be aggressively treated to improve quality of |
| adults but in children it may be a genetic disease. | | | | life. In general, the treatments available for |
| Adult liver carcinomas may result from | | | | children are the same as for adults, and the best |
| environmental exposure to carcinogens such as | | | | approach depends on the stage and type of |
| mold, contrast media (no longer in use), androgens | | | | cancer as well as the child's age and overall health. |
| and oral estrogens, the hepatitis B virus or by | | | | |