Liver Cancer

What is liver cancer? (Hepatocellular Carcinoma)

The most typical form of primary liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Unlike tumors that metastasis to the liver from other organs (see metastatic liver cancer), primary liver cancer refers to cancer that develops in the liver itself. HCC can develop into a single tumor or a number of tumor nodules spread throughout the liver.

Cirrhosis, or liver scarring, and its associated causes, which are covered in the Risk Factors section below, are the most frequent causes of HCC in the United States. HCC can be brought on by other illnesses like Hepatitis B even without cirrhosis.

Risk Factors

• Most common in men above age 50
• Cirrhosis (liver scarring) and its causes:
  • History of alcohol use
  • Hepatitis B or C infection
  • Long term inflammation of the liver
  • Hemochromatosis, or iron overload
• Other types of liver disease
• Obesity
• Diabetes

Symptoms

There might or might not be symptoms at first from liver cancer (HCC). If symptoms do materialize, they may include the following:

• Abdominal pain
• Jaundice, or yellowing of skin and eyes
• Weight loss
• Ascites
• Fatigue
• Easy bruising or bleeding

Diagnosis

Your doctor may conduct the following tests in addition to a physical examination:

• Ultrasound
• CT scan
• MRI
• Liver function tests
• Liver biopsy

Treatments

• Chemoembolization
• Radioembolization (Y-90)
• Tumor ablation