| Liver cancer also known as primary or | | | | from environmental exposure to carcinogens |
| metastatic hepatic carcinoma is a fairly rare | | | | such as mold, contrast media (no longer in |
| form of cancer in the western world (1% of | | | | use), androgens and oral estrogens, the |
| all cancers) but much more common in Africa | | | | hepatitis B virus or by damage to the liver |
| and parts of Asia (10% to 50% of all | | | | due to cirrhosis caused by too much prolonged |
| cancers). It is much more prevalent in men | | | | imbibing of alcohol. |
| and incidence increases with age. Liver | | | | |
| cancer is rapidly fatal, usually within 6 | | | | DIAGNOSIS |
| 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 CANCER | | | | help identify it: The combination of an |
| | | | imaging study (ultrasound, CT, or MRI scans) |
| Most primary liver tumors are known as | | | | and an elevated blood level of |
| hepatomas (hepatocellular carcinoma and | | | | alpha-fetoprotein will most effectively |
| primary lower cell carcinoma). Some primary | | | | diagnose liver cancer, electrolyte studies |
| liver cancers originate in the bile duct and | | | | may indicate increased sodium retention, a |
| these are known as cholangiomas. Some rare | | | | liver biopsy can make a definitive diagnosis. |
| liver cancers include Kupffer cell sarcoma | | | | |
| and hepatoblastomas (which occur almost | | | | TREATMENT |
| exclusively in children and are usually | | | | |
| respectable and curable). Metastatic liver | | | | Treatments for primary liver cancer depend on |
| cancer is 20 times more common than primary | | | | the extent (stage) of the disease, age, |
| liver cancer and after cirrhosis this is the | | | | overall 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 SYMPTOMS | | | | is not always possible due to the size or |
| | | | position of the tumor. Radiofrequency |
| Liver cancer does not normally cause symptoms | | | | ablation 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 cancers | | | | During 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 palpation | | | | an option for people with inoperable primary |
| | | | and metastatic liver cancers. Removing the |
| 3. Severe pain in the epigastrium or upper | | | | whole liver and replacing it with a liver |
| right side | | | | from 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 in | | | | improvement 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 CANCER | | | | quality of life. In general, the treatments |
| | | | available for children are the same as for |
| The exact cause of liver cancer is unknown in | | | | adults, and the best approach depends on the |
| adults but in children it may be a genetic | | | | stage and type of cancer as well as the |
| disease. Adult liver carcinomas may result | | | | child's age and overall health. |