ONE LIFE ONE LIVER

What is Liver Cancer?

Liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma, HCC) is a serious condition where malignant (cancerous) cells grow uncontrollably in the liver. It often develops in people with chronic liver disease or cirrhosis.

Types of Liver Cancer

1. Primary Liver Cancer (starts in the liver)

   • Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) – Most common (75-85% of cases)

   • Cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer)

   • Angiosarcoma/Hemangiosarcoma (rare, aggressive)

2. Secondary (Metastatic) Liver Cancer

   • Cancer that spreads from other organs (e.g. colon, breast, lung)

Main Causes & Risk Factors

✅ Cirrhosis (from alcohol, hepatitis B/C, fatty liver) – #1 risk factor
✅ Chronic Hepatitis B or C infection (increases risk 100x!)
✅ Heavy alcohol use (leads to cirrhosis)
✅ Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD/NASH) (linked to obesity/diabetes)
✅ Aflatoxin exposure (toxic mold on improperly stored grains/nuts)
✅ Genetic conditions (hemochromatosis, Wilson’s disease)
✅ Smoking & Diabetes (increase risk)

Symptoms (Often Silent Until Late Stage)

Early liver cancer may have no symptoms, but advanced cases cause:
🔸 Unexplained weight loss & loss of appetite
🔸 Pain in the upper right abdomen (near the liver)
🔸 Jaundice (yellow skin/eyes)
🔸 Swollen belly or legs
🔸 Nausea, vomiting, fatigue
🔸 Easy bruising/bleeding (liver fails to make clotting factors)

How is Liver Cancer Diagnosed?

• Blood tests (AFP tumor marker, liver function tests)

• Imaging (Ultrasound, CT, MRI)

• Biopsy (removing a small tissue sample for testing)

Prevention Strategies

✔ Get vaccinated for Hepatitis B (biggest preventable cause)
✔ Treat Hepatitis C early (new antivirals can cure it)
✔ Limit alcohol (heavy drinking → cirrhosis → cancer)
✔ Maintain a healthy weight (prevents fatty liver disease)
✔ Avoid aflatoxin-contaminated foods (moldy grains/nuts)
✔ Regular liver check-ups if at risk (ultrasound & AFP blood tests)

Treatment Options

🔹 Surgery – Remove tumor or part of the liver (if caught early)
🔹 Liver transplant – For some early-stage cancers with cirrhosis
🔹 Ablation therapy – Destroy tumors with heat, cold, or ethanol
🔹 Radiation therapy – Targeted radiation
🔹 Chemotherapy/Targeted drugs – Sorafenib, lenvatinib, immunotherapy.

Prognosis (Outlook)

• Early detection (small tumors) → Best chance of cure.

• Advanced cancer → Harder to treat, but new therapies help survival.

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