What is Liver Cancer?

The main function of the liver is the production of bile juice and digesting the fat. It also helps to store glycogen in the form of energy. Malignant (Cancerous) tumor formation in the liver cells is known as liver cancer. Smoking and alcohol consumption are the major reasons for liver cancer across the world. It is possible to cure cancer in the early stage of cancer detection. The treatment options become minimal in the advanced stages as the cancer cells have already spread to other body parts. There are rare chances of early detection of liver cancer. If it gets detected in the early stages, survival rates will be high. Moreover, Men are more affected by this disease as compared to women.

Basic facts to be known about Liver Cancer

● Liver cancer has been reported as the 6th most prevalent cancer globally. It is the 5th most common cancer among males and 9th in females.

● It is estimated that there were 9,05,700 people diagnosed, and 8,30,200 people died from liver cancer globally in 2020.

● India recorded around 38,703 cases in 2022, of which around 27,334 were men and 11,369 were women.

● There is a prediction that the number of new cases and deaths of liver cancer will rise by 55% by 2040.

Signs and symptoms of Liver Cancer

Having one or more symptoms doesn't prove that you have liver cancer. These signs may also be associated with other diseases. People who have a history of cancer and chronic hepatitis should consult the doctor sooner. Some of the major signs and symptoms include:

● Yellowing of skin and eye

● Dark brown urine

● Excessive weight loss

● Appetite loss

● Feel fulfilled after a small meal

● Swollen Abdomen

● Enlarged liver and spleen

● Nausea, fatigue and vomiting

● Stomach pain

● Itching

● Slow bowel movements

● Easy Bleeding

● unusual weakness and sleepiness

Risk factors causing Liver Cancer

The chances of having liver cancer depend on various factors. These factors are age, genetics, and daily lifestyle. Some of the major risk factors leading to liver cancer are:

● Smoking and alcohol consumption: The risk of having liver cancer increases with smoking and alcohol consumption. Heavy alcohol drinkers and cigarette smokers with an infection of the hepatitis virus are at higher risk of getting diagnosed with liver cancer.

● Age: liver cancer occurs at any age depending on daily routine and lifestyle. The elderly age people are at major risk. The majority of cases are detected among people in the 60-year age group.

● Family history: People who have cancer in the bloodline are at higher risk of getting this disease.

● Hepatitis infection: The risk of having liver cancer increases with chronic hepatitis B and C infection. This infection causes swelling in the liver which leads to liver cancer.

● Liver Cirrhosis: In this condition, liver cells start damaging and result in scar tissue. These tissues block the blood flow in liver cells and inhibit the normal functioning of the liver. This improper functioning results in cancer cell formation. Chronic hepatitis infection and chronic alcoholism are major causes of cirrhosis.

Type of Liver Cancer

Liver cancer is classified into two types i.e., primary and secondary. Primary liver cancer is the result of abnormal growth in liver cells on its own. When cancer spreads from other nearby organs to the liver, it is known as secondary liver cancer. This type of cancer is more common. Approximately 80% of liver cancer starts from common liver cells known as hepatocytes. The majority of liver cancer arises from bile ducts. The type of liver cancer depends on the cell it originated from. The other classes of liver cancer may include:

● Hepatocellular carcinoma (the most common type of cancer)

● Cholangiocarcinoma (Occurs in the Bile duct)

● Angiosarcoma (Starts from blood vessels of the liver)

● Hepatoblastoma (Rare childhood liver cancer)

Stages of Liver Cancer

The size of the tumor describes the stage of cancer. Based on that, there are five common stages of liver cancer.

● Stage 0: Very early stage, cancer is localized within liver cells. Detection is hard in this stage because symptoms and signs look similar to other diseases.

● Stage 1: It is the earliest stage that can be diagnosed. The treatment option in this stage is surgery with which cancerous tissues can be removed completely.

● Stage 2: This stage is the local stage in which cancer begins to spread within liver cells.

● Stage 3: It is considered a locally advanced stage of liver cancer. Cancer cells start spreading to other organs.

● Stage 4: It is the most advanced stage of liver cancer. The cancer cell becomes metastatic (spread to nearby organs). The cancer is spread to distinct organs such as the gall bladder, breast, and lungs.

Method used in the detection of Liver Cancer

The detection method depends on different signs and symptoms. These symptoms may vary from person to person. The following test and procedure are listed:

● Physical examination and medical history: The doctor will check the lower abdomen for unusual pain or lumps. He may also ask for medical history including alcohol consumption, past illness, and family cancer records.

● Blood test: Various tests such as blood clot test, LFT & KFT (liver function test & kidney function test ), and CBC (complete blood count) test are performed to detect proper liver functioning.

● Biopsy: In a biopsy, the target tissue is removed and viewed under a microscope to detect cancer growth. The doctor advises biopsy when imaging tests are unable to show results.

● CT Scan: A CT scan will use an X-ray to give images of nearby areas of the liver. It shows clear pictures of other body parts where the chances of spreading cancer are high.

● MRI scan: An MRI scan of the abdomen helps to find out the presence and location of cancer cells in the liver. A dye is injected into a vein to create a detailed view of the blood vessels of the liver.

● Ultrasound scan: Ultrasound scan uses sound waves to detect the size and location of the tumor. This scan provides a scanned view of the growth of cancer cells.

Way to prevent Liver Cancer

A few simple changes in habits of your daily lifestyle and routine can prevent the chances of having liver cancer and also restrict its growth. Some of the precautionary actions you have to take to prevent it. Some of them are discussed below:

● Quit smoking and avoid drinking alcohol: This can increase the chance of having cancer. You should avoid smoking and alcohol.

● Liver infection treatment: If you suffering from chronic liver infection, it is crucial to get proper screening and treatment. If it is left untreated, It can result in liver cancer.

● Healthy diet: You must maintain a healthy weight and be on a proper diet filled with micro and macronutrients. Avoid a high-fat diet and add fiber to improve metabolism and digestion.

● Maintain body weight: Obesity can increase the risk of getting liver cancer. You must exercise, do yoga, or be in any physical activity regularly.

● Hepatitis vaccination: You should vaccinate yourself with hepatitis B and C vaccines on time. It can prevent liver cancer caused due to chronic hepatitis.

● Exposure to carcinogen: Try to reduce excessive exposure to cancer-causing substances such as Aflatoxin B1 (Present in food that is infected with mycotoxin).

Treatment method for Liver Cancer

The treatment of liver cancer depends on the stage of diagnosis. The doctor can go for surgery or chemotherapy. It depends on the cancer stage, age, and health condition. The treatment varies from person to person and how their body is responding to the treatment. The different treatment options may include:

● Surgery: Surgery is proven to be a successful treatment method to remove cancer cells at the earliest stages. Unfortunately, It is not possible in the intermediate and advanced stages of liver cancer.

● Liver transplant: Removal of whole liver and replacement by healthy liver is better. But it can only be performed in case you find a donor to donate liver.

● Ablation therapy: This therapy destroys the cancer cells without removing them. Ablation therapy uses radio waves to kill the cancer cells. This therapy is painful and may have some side effects.

● Chemotherapy: In this therapy, drugs are injected via IV or orally in patients to kill the cancer cells. It can be performed before or after surgery.

● Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy uses external high-energy rays to destroy the cancer cells. This therapy can not be performed on those who are suffering from hepatitis or cirrhosis conditions.

● Targeted drug therapy and immunotherapy: Like chemotherapy, drug-targeted therapy uses a drug given to the patients. Some cancer target drugs include Sorafina (Sorafenib 200mg) which is available at an affordable price on Magicine Pharma.

FAQs

1. What is the very first sign of liver cancer?

Yellowing of the eye, less brown or dark skin, loosed appetite, yellow urine, no energy, and itchiness are the first signs of liver cancer. Later, these symptoms may result in severe vomiting, abdomen pain, and weight loss.

2. Is a person's survival possible after a diagnosis of liver cancer?

Yes, there is a possible treatment for liver cancer depending on the stage diagnosed. According to the research, 45% survive for 4 or more years after diagnosis of stage 1 liver cancer. Further data shows that 35% of people who got treatment for early-stage cancer are alive for more than 5 years.

3. How much time liver cancer will take to spread?

Liver cancer spreads quickly depending on the type of cancer and its diagnosed stage. Hepatocellular carcinoma (Cancer in the bile duct) takes a long time to spread whereas angiocarcinoma (Cancer in the blood vessels of the liver) spreads quickly.

4. Is it possible to cure liver cancer completely?

Treatment for liver cancer is available but it can't be cured completely. It can only be cured if detected in early stages and only spread within the liver. If cancer spreads to nearby organs or bile ducts, It might be impossible to treat it completely.

5. Can a cyst in the liver result in tumor growth?

It is quite common to have cysts in the liver, so there is nothing much to worry about. If there is pain, you should consult the doctor. You can also go for a CT scan to detect any associated growth of cyst to tumor.

References

https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/liver-cancer
https://www.wcrf.org/preventing-cancer/cancer-statistics/liver-cancer-statistics/#:~:text=Liver%20cancer%20is%20the%206th,most%20common%20cancer%20in%20women.
https://www.journal-of-hepatology.eu/article/S0168-8278(22)03022-7/fulltext#:~:text=projections%20to%202040.-,Results,%25%20more%20than%20in%202020).

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