The Chronic Fatigue Syndrome


Liver Cancer - Diagnosis, Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Prognosis

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



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