Introduction
Liver cancer, also known as hepatic cancer, is a medical condition that develops in the liver, which is one of the organs with diverse functions, including detoxifying the blood, secreting bile for digestion, and storing energy. Liver cancer knowledge is important because the disease is usually diagnosed when it is already in an advanced stage, which becomes difficult to treat. A brief overview of liver cancer, its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, and prevention strategies will be provided.
Types of Liver Cancer
Liver cancer can be widely categorized into two major divisions. The same are primary and secondary liver cancer.
Primary liver cancer: Such types of cancer develop from the inside of the liver. This category falls under the following: hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, it initiates from the primary cells of the liver called the hepatocytes. The rest of the kinds include intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma’s; those are bile duct carcinomas and hepatoblastomas. These often appear in children.
Secondary Liver Cancer: Also known as metastatic liver cancer, it starts in another part of the body, such as the lungs, colon, or breast, and spreads to the liver.
Causes and risk factors
The exact cause of liver cancer is not known in most cases. However, many risk factors greatly increase its likelihood. Some of the major causes include:
Chronic Viral Hepatitis (B and C): Long-term hepatitis infections cause inflammation and damage in the liver, which increases the risk of developing the cancer in the organ.
Cirrhosis: This scarring of liver tissue, especially due to chronic alcohol misuse or infections caused by hepatitis viruses, creates a high-risk environment for the development of cancerous cells.
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): The risk of this type of liver cancer increases when these conditions advance into becoming NASH.
Exposure to Aflatoxin: Aflatoxins are toxins that are produced by certain molds. This particular kind of mold usually grows on improperly kept crops such as peanuts and grains. Greater exposure to the aflatoxins has been recognized to result in risk.
Heavy consumption of alcohol: Over many years, the excessive drinking ruins the liver cells and causes cirrhosis that produces cancerous growth in the liver.
Diabetes Mellitus and Obesity: The risk is quite high from both the conditions. It has mostly been observed through its contribution to inflammation of the liver and the fatty liver disease.
Symptoms of Liver Cancer
Liver cancer is mostly asymptomatic in its early stages, and it can only be detected when the disease has progressed. Some symptoms may indicate liver problems, such as:
Unintentional weight loss: sudden, unexplained weight loss is often an early sign.
Loss of appetite and feeling full quickly: Changes in eating habits or feeling full quickly are common with liver cancer.
Abdomen can be swollen due to fluid accumulating in the abdomen (ascites) or there is acute pain in the region of the right upper part of the abdomen. One feels a yellowish color in their skin and eyes, resulting from increased bilirubin levels. One stay debilitated and remains lack of energy is a prevalent symptom of this disease.
Due to digestive problems, they do experience nausea; nausea too can occur.
Diagnostic for Liver Cancer
A physical diagnosis, which begins with a physical examination and history-taking, then followed by specific testing, may be indicated.
Blood Tests: For example, AFP screening to check the abnormality in the liver.
Imaging Studies: To help see a liver tumor or any abnormality with the help of an ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI.
Biopsy: It may require a biopsy for a direct analysis under a microscope on the tissues from the liver, as well as its presence and type.
Liver Cancer Treatment
Treatment for liver cancer is dependent on the stage of cancer, the health condition of the patient, and the function of the liver. Some common treatments include:
Surgery
Partial hepatectomy: The cancerous part of the liver is removed.
Liver Transplant: This is usually carried out in extreme cases where the cancer has not spread to other parts of the body.
Ablation Therapy
Radiofrequency Ablation: High-energy waves destroy cancer cells.
Cryoablation: Extreme cold kills cancer cells.
Ethanol or Acetic Acid Injection: These drugs are injected inside the tumor to kill.
Targeted Therapy:
In this, sorafenib and Lenvatinib drugs are targeted towards cell growth, which is mostly used for the advanced level.
Immunotherapy
Pembrolizumab and nivolumab are some of those drugs that assist the body’s immune system to search for and destroy the cancerous cells.
Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy
Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is seldom used for liver cancer. The treatment is sometimes considered for patients when other treatments would not be appropriate.
Radiation Therapy: SIRT administers radiation directly to the tumor, leaving the healthy liver tissue intact.
Prevention of Liver Cancer
Although it is not possible to prevent all cases, several lifestyle modifications and precautions may help minimize the risk.
Vaccination: Hepatitis B vaccination can help minimize the risk of liver cancer caused by hepatitis B infection.
Regular Screening: All those with risk factors such as history of hepatitis, cirrhosis, or family antecedents should follow regular screening for early diagnosis.
Healthy Lifestyle Choices: Avoiding excessive alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight, controlling diabetes, and avoiding the use of tobacco may minimize the risk.
Avoid Aflatoxin Exposure: Proper food storage will lower exposure to aflatoxins.
Outlook and Conclusion
The prognosis concerning liver cancer is highly differentiated and depends mainly on the stage of the disease at diagnosis as well as treatment success. In earlier stages, often surgery combined with targeted therapy might still provide curative choices, whereas in more advanced cases of liver cancer, the methods of treatment focus on quality time extending one’s lifespan.
The early detection and management of liver cancer can be achieved through an understanding of the causes and symptoms of the disease. A healthy lifestyle, constant monitoring of risk factors, and regular check-ups help prevent or detect liver cancer at its earliest stages when it is most treatable.
