Liver cancer is a severe health complication that involves liver. One of the significant organs is the liver. It purifies your blood and holds energy and digests food. Early detection of liver cancer simplifies and increases success of treatment. Early signs and risk factors can be known to detect it earlier.
This book describes liver cancer in simple terms. You will find out what it is, what to watch early, and what predisposes you to it.
Liver cancer occurs as a result of abnormal growth of liver cells. These cells create a body known as a tumor. There are two main kinds:
This is the most common type. Approximately 80 per cent of the liver cancers are HCC. It is commonly found in individuals who have liver disease, such as liver cirrhosis or hepatitis.
The onset of this type occurs in the bile ducts. Bile is transported to your gallbladder by bile ducts which go out of the liver. This is a serious less widespread type of cancer. Your physician examines your type. This option assists in making decisions on treatment.
Early detection of liver cancer will mean your life. The following are early signs to be observed:
Any weight loss without dieting may be a cause of concern.
It can be connected with the upper right of the belly pain or discomfort, which can be related to the liver trouble.
You can no longer be hungry, you can also be stuffed after having taken a little to eat.
A yellowing is an indicator of a poor working liver. It is not able to get rid of bile.
It is a common symptom that when you are tired or weak your liver may not be functioning properly.
There is fluid accumulating in your belly which makes it swell. It can also enlarge your legs or your ankles.
Watch out to parrhea, constipation, or the pale stool that does not have another explanation.
Nausea or vomiting may also be frequent indicating liver problems. In case of any of these symptoms at an early stage, consult your physician immediately. Early diagnosis may count a lot.
There are certain things which increase the risk of liver cancer. Here are the main ones:
Extended hepatitis B or C damages your liver. In the long run, it increases the risk of cancer by a big margin.
Excessive consumption of alcohol over several years causes liver damage. This damage may develop to cancer.
Scar tissue of the liver accumulation is known as cirrhosis. This scar tissue increases your chances of getting cancer.
The effect of obesity can be the accumulation of fat in the liver. This may lead to inflammation and liver damages in the long run.
Diabetes and high blood sugar levels lead to liver damage causing cancer.
In case one of your close family members had liver cancer, then you are at risk. Check-ups should be regularly performed.
Foods that are improperly kept such as nuts or grains can have mold toxins. These toxins run risks of cancer.
There are chemicals such as arsenic or vinyl chloride which damage your liver. This may lead to risk in cancer with time.
Awareness of these risks will make you put measures to minimize them.
Your doctor will test you to see whether you have liver cancer in the event that you experience symptoms or have risk factors. Here's how they do it:
The physician examines the belly by touching to discover a swollen liver or fluid.
Liver tests are examined by blood tests. They also test a protein that could manifest cancer.
These are tests that generate images of your liver in your body:
In case of imaging, the doctor can do a small sample of liver tissue in case of a possible tumor. To ascertain cancer, they subject it to a laboratory test.
Simple measures will help you avoid or lessen your exposure to liver cancer:
These measures are helpful to make your liver healthier and stronger.
Treatment will be determined by the stage of the cancer and your health, as well as the type of can
Physicians can take a third of your liver. A liver transplant can be used in severe cases.
The therapy employs heat or cold in the destruction of the cancerous cells in the liver itself. It involves the use of small needles to access tumors.
Such medications are intended to reduce the size of tumors or make them grow at a slower rate.
Cancer cells are killed by high-energy rays. It is applied in cases when surgery is not an acceptable alternative.
Depending on your condition, your doctor will have to select the most appropriate treatment or a mixture of treatments.
Early detection is good as liver cancer is serious and can be treated. Be familiar with the initial symptoms of liver cancer and what the key risk factors are with respect to liver cancer. Monitor your health and visit a physician when something does not work.
Take action now. Guard your liver and secure your future. Discuss with your physician in case of concern.
Dr. Bharat Pothuri is a Board-Certified Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist. With extensive experience in digestive health, he specializes in advanced endoscopic procedures, chronic GI disorder management, and preventive care. Dr. Pothuri is dedicated to providing expert, patient-focused insights to help improve gut health and overall well-being.
The beginning of liver cancer is in hepatic cells. The most popular is the hepatocellular carcinoma, which begins in hepatocyte cells of the liver.
The initial symptoms can be a feeling of fatigue, weight loss, stomach pain, jaundice (yellow skin/eyes), swollen abdomen. Numerous symptoms are manifested later, and early testing is significant.
Chronic hepatitis B or C, cirrhosis, fatty liver disease, heavy drinking, and liver cancer in a family history puts people at the risk.
Although this factor may not be felt as preventable, one can reduce it by preventing infections of the liver, being sparse with alcohol, keeping the weight down and managing diabetes.
Such viruses result in inflammation and liver damage in the long term that may develop scarring (cirrhosis) and eventually cancer.
Yes. Liver inflammation and liver damage over time can occur with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and puts people at risk of cancer, particularly those with obesity or diabetes.
Aflatoxins are fungal toxins in nuts that have not been stored properly or grains. They may cause harm to liver cells and increase the risk of cancer in case they are taken regularly over time.
To be certain of liver cancer, doctors involve blood tests, imaging (ultrasound or MRI), and occasionally a biopsy to evaluate the level of multistage liver cancer.
Yes. Individuals with high risk ought to receive frequent liver ultrasounds and blood tests (such as AFP) after every 6 months so as to identify cancer earlier.
When you experience unexplainable weight loss, jaundice, and swelling of the abdomen and you have liver disease, visit a doctor immediately to be checked and may be screened.
