Liver Cancer
Liver cancer describes that condition when the liver's normal cells become abnormal. These abnormal cells subsequently becomes out of control and transforms into cancer. The cancerous or malignant cells which begin from liver cells are known as hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer arising from the liver ducts is known as cholangiocarcinoma.
Metastatic liver cancer
It is a kind of cancer which has its origins in one place of the body and from where it has spread to other locations in the body. If metastatic cancer occurs in the liver it means that cancer from the other organs has reached the liver. In such a case, the cells of the liver are normal. The common cancers which reach the liver are ovary, stomach, breast, bladder, lungs, kidney and uterus. It is a rare condition when cancer has its roots in the liver and reaches other parts of the body.
A few individuals with metastatic tumors does not display any kind of symptoms. This cancer is detected by X-rays and other tests. Jaundice or abodominal swelling suggests that cancer has reached the liver.
Causes of liver cancer
A majority of people afflicted with liver cancer acquire it through setting of cirrhosis, a chronic liver disease. The liver gets scarred and increases liver cancer risk. The major cause of cirrhosis include hepatitis C, hepatitis B and alcohol abuse. Liver cancer cause may also be linked to lifestyle, dietary or environmental factors.
Liver cancer risk factors
Hepatocellular cancer incidence rates are rising due to greater cirrhosis prevalence due to non-alcoholic fatty liver and hepatitis C disease. Liver cirrhosis is found mostly in males above 55 years of age. Higher incidence of liver cancer is observed in people of Hispanic or Asian ethnicity and those who have an obese near relative. Massive alcohol use and high iron content in blood are also cited as major factors. Infection with chronic hepatitis B sans cirrhosis is also a risk factor to get afflicted with liver cancer.
Signs and symptoms
There are no symptoms of liver cancer. However, with the increasing size of the tumor, the person may feel pain in the abdomen's right side or a fullness of stomach when eating. A few patients suffer a worsening of the symptoms associated with cirrhosis- which frequently precedes development of liver cancer. In such cases, there may be decreased appetite, yellowing of eyes and also skin, and unexplained weight loss.
Liver cancer describes that condition when the liver's normal cells become abnormal. These abnormal cells subsequently becomes out of control and transforms into cancer. The cancerous or malignant cells which begin from liver cells are known as hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer arising from the liver ducts is known as cholangiocarcinoma.
Metastatic liver cancer
It is a kind of cancer which has its origins in one place of the body and from where it has spread to other locations in the body. If metastatic cancer occurs in the liver it means that cancer from the other organs has reached the liver. In such a case, the cells of the liver are normal. The common cancers which reach the liver are ovary, stomach, breast, bladder, lungs, kidney and uterus. It is a rare condition when cancer has its roots in the liver and reaches other parts of the body.
A few individuals with metastatic tumors does not display any kind of symptoms. This cancer is detected by X-rays and other tests. Jaundice or abodominal swelling suggests that cancer has reached the liver.
Causes of liver cancer
A majority of people afflicted with liver cancer acquire it through setting of cirrhosis, a chronic liver disease. The liver gets scarred and increases liver cancer risk. The major cause of cirrhosis include hepatitis C, hepatitis B and alcohol abuse. Liver cancer cause may also be linked to lifestyle, dietary or environmental factors.
Liver cancer risk factors
Hepatocellular cancer incidence rates are rising due to greater cirrhosis prevalence due to non-alcoholic fatty liver and hepatitis C disease. Liver cirrhosis is found mostly in males above 55 years of age. Higher incidence of liver cancer is observed in people of Hispanic or Asian ethnicity and those who have an obese near relative. Massive alcohol use and high iron content in blood are also cited as major factors. Infection with chronic hepatitis B sans cirrhosis is also a risk factor to get afflicted with liver cancer.
Signs and symptoms
There are no symptoms of liver cancer. However, with the increasing size of the tumor, the person may feel pain in the abdomen's right side or a fullness of stomach when eating. A few patients suffer a worsening of the symptoms associated with cirrhosis- which frequently precedes development of liver cancer. In such cases, there may be decreased appetite, yellowing of eyes and also skin, and unexplained weight loss.
