Liver Cancer

Liver cancer is cancer that begins in the cells of your liver. Your liver is a football-sized organ that sits in the upper right portion of your abdomen, beneath your diaphragm and above your stomach.Liver cancer, or hepatic cancer, is a type of cancer that begins in the liver, a vital organ responsible for processing nutrients, detoxifying harmful substances, and producing bile. The most common type of liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which typically develops in people with chronic liver diseases like cirrhosis, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C.
Other factors, such as excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, and exposure to aflatoxins (toxins produced by certain molds), can also increase the risk of liver cancer. Early-stage liver cancer may not cause noticeable symptoms, making early detection challenging. As the disease progresses, common symptoms include jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), abdominal pain or swelling, unexplained weight loss, and fatigue. Because liver cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, treatment options may include surgery, liver transplantation, radiofrequency ablation, chemotherapy, or targeted therapies. In cases where surgery is not an option, treatments like transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) or immunotherapy may be used. Liver cancer has a relatively poor prognosis, especially if not detected early, but advances in treatment options and improved screening methods offer hope for better survival outcomes. Regular monitoring for those at high risk, such as individuals with chronic liver conditions, is essential for early detection and improved treatment effectiveness.

What Causes Liver cancer ?

Liver cancer happens when liver cells develop changes (mutations) in their DNA. A cell's DNA is the material that provides instructions for every chemical process in your body. DNA mutations cause changes in these instructions. One result is that cells may begin to grow out of control and eventually form a tumor - a mass of cancerous cells. Sometimes the cause of liver cancer is known, such as with chronic hepatitis infections. But sometimes liver cancer happens in people with no underlying diseases and it's not clear what causes it.

Liver cancer is categorized into two types:

1. Primary liver cancer: Originates in the liver itself.
2. Secondary liver cancer: Starts in another part of the body and spreads to the liver.

The most common type of primary liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which develops in hepatocytes (the main liver cells). Other rare types include intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and hepatoblastoma.