Liver Cancer – Diagnosis, Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and
Prognosis
By Dick Aronson
Liver cancer also known as primary or metastatic hepatic
carcinoma is a fairly rare form of cancer in the western world
(1% of all cancers) but much more common in Africa and parts of
Asia (10% to 50% of all cancers). It is much more prevalent in
men and incidence increases with age. Liver cancer is rapidly
fatal, usually within 6 months from gastrointestinal hemorrhage,
hepatic failure or metastasis.
TYPES OF LIVE CANCER
Most primary liver tumors are known as hepatomas
(hepatocellular carcinoma and primary lower cell carcinoma).
Some primary liver cancers originate in the bile duct and these
are known as cholangiomas. Some rare liver cancers include
Kupffer cell sarcoma and hepatoblastomas (which occur almost
exclusively in children and are usually respectable and
curable). Metastatic liver cancer is 20 times more common than
primary liver cancer and after cirrhosis this is the leading
form of liver related death.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Liver cancer does not normally cause symptoms until it is in an
advanced stage.
Clinical effects of advanced liver cancers include:
1. A mass in the right upper side.
2. Tender, nodular liver on palpation
3. Severe pain in the epigastrium or upper right side
4. Weight loss, anorexia, weakness, fever
5. Occasional jaundice or ascites (fluid in the abdomen)
CAUSE OF LIVER CANCER
The exact cause of liver cancer is unknown in adults but in
children it may be a genetic disease. Adult liver carcinomas may
result from environmental exposure to carcinogens such as mold,
contrast media (no longer in use), androgens and oral estrogens,
the hepatitis B virus or by damage to the liver due to cirrhosis
caused by too much prolonged imbibing of alcohol.
DIAGNOSIS
Liver cancer is difficult to diagnose in the presence of
cirrhosis, but several tests can help identify it: The
combination of an imaging study (ultrasound, CT, or MRI scans)
and an elevated blood level of alpha-fetoprotein will most
effectively diagnose liver cancer, electrolyte studies may
indicate increased sodium retention, a liver biopsy can make a
definitive diagnosis.
TREATMENT
Treatments for primary liver cancer depend on the extent
(stage) of the disease, age, overall health, feelings and
personal preferences. Surgery is the most effective treatment
for primary liver cancer, but this is not always possible due to
the size or position of the tumor. Radiofrequency ablation is an
option for people with small, unresectable hepatocellular tumors
and for some types of metastatic liver cancers. During this
procedure, the hepatic artery (the artery from which liver
cancers derive their blood supply) is blocked, and chemotherapy
drugs are injected between the blockage and the liver.
Cryoablation may be an option for people with inoperable primary
and metastatic liver cancers. Removing the whole liver and
replacing it with a liver from another person is another
possible form of treatment for primary liver cancer.
Even when treatments fail to provide much improvement in the
liver cancer itself, pain and other signs and symptoms caused by
liver cancer can be aggressively treated to improve quality of
life. In general, the treatments available for children are the
same as for adults, and the best approach depends on the stage
and type of cancer as well as the child's age and overall
health.
PROGNOSIS
Prognosis is poor when cancer is advanced, but for small tumors
that are confined to the liver, ablative therapies are
palliative and surgical resection or liver transplantation
About the Author: Dick Aronson has been involved in the
healthcare industry for 35 years.He has written numerous
articles on the subject and runs a number of informative
websites,viz: http://www.cancerinformation-online.com ,
http://www.braincancersite.com and
http://www.healthinnovationsonline.com
Source: http://www.isnare.com
Permanent Link:
http://www.isnare.com/?aid=278371&ca=Medicines+and+Remedies
Prognosis
By Dick Aronson
Liver cancer also known as primary or metastatic hepatic
carcinoma is a fairly rare form of cancer in the western world
(1% of all cancers) but much more common in Africa and parts of
Asia (10% to 50% of all cancers). It is much more prevalent in
men and incidence increases with age. Liver cancer is rapidly
fatal, usually within 6 months from gastrointestinal hemorrhage,
hepatic failure or metastasis.
TYPES OF LIVE CANCER
Most primary liver tumors are known as hepatomas
(hepatocellular carcinoma and primary lower cell carcinoma).
Some primary liver cancers originate in the bile duct and these
are known as cholangiomas. Some rare liver cancers include
Kupffer cell sarcoma and hepatoblastomas (which occur almost
exclusively in children and are usually respectable and
curable). Metastatic liver cancer is 20 times more common than
primary liver cancer and after cirrhosis this is the leading
form of liver related death.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Liver cancer does not normally cause symptoms until it is in an
advanced stage.
Clinical effects of advanced liver cancers include:
1. A mass in the right upper side.
2. Tender, nodular liver on palpation
3. Severe pain in the epigastrium or upper right side
4. Weight loss, anorexia, weakness, fever
5. Occasional jaundice or ascites (fluid in the abdomen)
CAUSE OF LIVER CANCER
The exact cause of liver cancer is unknown in adults but in
children it may be a genetic disease. Adult liver carcinomas may
result from environmental exposure to carcinogens such as mold,
contrast media (no longer in use), androgens and oral estrogens,
the hepatitis B virus or by damage to the liver due to cirrhosis
caused by too much prolonged imbibing of alcohol.
DIAGNOSIS
Liver cancer is difficult to diagnose in the presence of
cirrhosis, but several tests can help identify it: The
combination of an imaging study (ultrasound, CT, or MRI scans)
and an elevated blood level of alpha-fetoprotein will most
effectively diagnose liver cancer, electrolyte studies may
indicate increased sodium retention, a liver biopsy can make a
definitive diagnosis.
TREATMENT
Treatments for primary liver cancer depend on the extent
(stage) of the disease, age, overall health, feelings and
personal preferences. Surgery is the most effective treatment
for primary liver cancer, but this is not always possible due to
the size or position of the tumor. Radiofrequency ablation is an
option for people with small, unresectable hepatocellular tumors
and for some types of metastatic liver cancers. During this
procedure, the hepatic artery (the artery from which liver
cancers derive their blood supply) is blocked, and chemotherapy
drugs are injected between the blockage and the liver.
Cryoablation may be an option for people with inoperable primary
and metastatic liver cancers. Removing the whole liver and
replacing it with a liver from another person is another
possible form of treatment for primary liver cancer.
Even when treatments fail to provide much improvement in the
liver cancer itself, pain and other signs and symptoms caused by
liver cancer can be aggressively treated to improve quality of
life. In general, the treatments available for children are the
same as for adults, and the best approach depends on the stage
and type of cancer as well as the child's age and overall
health.
PROGNOSIS
Prognosis is poor when cancer is advanced, but for small tumors
that are confined to the liver, ablative therapies are
palliative and surgical resection or liver transplantation
About the Author: Dick Aronson has been involved in the
healthcare industry for 35 years.He has written numerous
articles on the subject and runs a number of informative
websites,viz: http://www.cancerinformation-online.com ,
http://www.braincancersite.com and
http://www.healthinnovationsonline.com
Source: http://www.isnare.com
Permanent Link:
http://www.isnare.com/?aid=278371&ca=Medicines+and+Remedies
Liver cancer is mostly common in males than females. It is quiet hereditary. Smoking is one of the major cause of liver cancer. Drinking alcohol is also a major cause of developing liver cancer. People with diabetes have highest risk of developing liver cancer. This is a very serious disease and there are many signs and symptoms and if properly detected can be treated as there are very low survival rates. For more information refer http://www.cancery.com/liver-cancer-causes.html
Posted by: Psavla84 | 03/29/2010 at 07:22 AM