Types and causes for Liver Cancer

The liver is a huge organ that is covered by the ribcage and is placed on the right side of your abdomen. It is split into two sections: the right and left lobes. The gallbladder, as well as sections of the intestines and pancreas, are located beneath the liver. The duties of the liver and these organs are to digest, ingest, and process the food you eat.

The liver's main job is to filter the blood that comes from your digestive system. The blood is only transmitted to other regions of the body after it has been filtered by the liver.

Furthermore, the liver aids in the detoxification of toxins and the metabolization of medications. The liver also secretes a liquid called bile, which returns to the intestines while completing this function. The liver also makes proteins that are important for blood clotting and other critical activities.

There are a variety of disorders that might impair the liver's function and have an impact on your overall health. Liver cancer, which arises in the cells of the liver, is one of these diseases.

Liver Cancer Types

The liver can develop a variety of cancer types, the most well-known of which is Hepatocellular Carcinoma. This type of liver cancer arises in the hepatocyte, which is the major liver cell. Other forms exist, such as Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma and Hepatoblastoma, but these are extremely rare.

Furthermore, not all tumors that affect your liver are classified as cancer. Metastatic cancer, not liver cancer, begins in any other region of your body, such as the colon, breast, or lung, and spreads to the liver. These cancer kinds are called after the organ in which they arise. For example, metastatic colon cancer is the term used to describe cancer that began in the colon and later migrated to the liver.

In most situations, cancers that extend to the liver are more common than cancers that begin in the liver cells themselves.

Tumors arising in the liver because it is made up of diverse cell types. Some of these tumors are benign (noncancerous), whereas others are cancerous and have spread to other regions of the body. These tumors have a variety of origins and treatments, and the prognosis is largely determined by the type of tumor you have.

The following are some examples of common but benign liver tumors:

Hemangioma

Focal nodular hyperplasia is a type of nodular hyperplasia that affects

Cysts

Adenoma of the liver

Lipoma

Fibroma

Leiomyoma

The tumors indicated above are not treated as cancer of the liver, and surgery is only required to remove them if they cause pain or bleeding.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma is a kind of liver cancer.

The most prevalent type of primary liver cancer is called hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This kind of liver cancer is most common in persons who have cirrhosis, which is usually caused by Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C infection.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma Diagnosis

Hepatocellular Carcinoma is diagnosed using a variety of tests and procedures, including:

• Blood tests are used to assess the liver's function.
• Advanced imaging methods such as Magnetic Resonance Elastography are used in imaging tests such as MRI and CT scans.
• A little piece of liver tissue is extracted for lab testing during a liver biopsy.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treatment

There are several treatment options for Hepatocellular Carcinoma, but which one is best for you will depend on the location and size of the tumor, as well as the quality of your liver's function and your overall health.

The following are some of the most often utilized Hepatocellular Carcinoma treatments:

When liver cancer occurs in its early stages and the liver is still working normally, surgery is indicated. The surgeon eliminates the malignancy as well as some healthy tissues around it during this procedure.

Liver Transplantation: This option is considered when the liver cancer has not progressed to other parts of the body. The diseased liver is entirely removed and replaced with a healthy donor liver throughout the procedure.

Chemotherapy or radiotherapy: Chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be used to kill cancer cells directly in some circumstances. During the procedure, the doctor will use a catheter to penetrate through the blood arteries and into the liver, where the chemo medicines or radiation beams will be administered.

Targeted Medication Delivery: Targeted drug delivery is used to delay the progression of cancer and is advised when cancer has progressed to an advanced stage.

Ablation: This method entails utilizing heat or cold to kill cancer cells. This procedure is done when surgery is not an option. The therapy uses high heat or cold to eliminate cancer cells in the liver. Radiofrequency ablation, ablation with alcohol or microwaves, and cryoablation are all examples of ablation methods.

Liver Cancer Causes

Hepatocellular Carcinoma, or primary liver cancer, is caused by damage to the liver caused by alcohol misuse, congenital abnormalities, or persistent infection with diseases such as Hepatitis B and C, Cirrhosis, and Hemochromatosis. 

According to the statistics, the majority of persons with Hepatocellular Carcinoma also have liver cirrhosis, which is scarring of the liver caused by alcohol consumption. Hepatitis B, C, and Hemochromatosis can cause lifelong damage to the liver, as well as liver failure. Obesity and fatty liver disease have also been connected to the development of liver cancer.

Associated Risk Factors

Apart from the causes, which include a variety of liver illnesses and specific cancer-causing substances, there are a few risk factors that can enhance your chances of developing liver cancer.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma is more likely to strike men than it is to strike women.

Weight: Obesity has been linked to an increased risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Anabolic steroid use: According to experts, male hormones used by athletes to gain muscle have a small chance of raising the risk of liver cancer.

Diabetes history: Because diabetes is associated with fatty liver disease, it is thought to be linked to liver cancer as well.

Inherited metabolic diseases: Diseases that disrupt your body's natural metabolism can raise your risk of developing liver cancer.

Chronic infection: If you have a chronic liver infection caused by the HBV (Hepatitis B virus) or HCV (Hepatitis C virus), you are more likely to develop liver cancer.

Aside from the risk factors listed above, genetic liver illnesses such as Wilson's disease and Hemochromatosis can also enhance your risk of developing liver cancer.

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