What is liver cancer?
Liver cancer is an abnormal growth of cells in the liver.
Often the abnormal growth is called a tumor.
The liver is one of the largest organs of the body and a
very important part of the body.
- It helps the body get rid of harmful substances.
- It produces bile, which helps your body digest fats.
- It stores sugar, which the body uses for energy.
- It makes many proteins.
There are 2 types of liver cancer: primary and secondary.
Primary liver cancer starts from cells in the liver. The 2
most common forms of primary liver cancer are:
- hepatoma, which is often associated with cirrhosis and
hepatitis B or C infections
- cholangiocarcinoma, a rare tumor developing in bile duct
cells.
Liver cancer is called secondary when a cancer starts
in another part of the body and spreads to the liver. The
secondary type is much more common in the US. The organs
where secondary liver cancers most often begin are the
lungs, breasts, and large intestine.
How does it occur?
Liver cancer is often caused by the spread of cancer from
another part of the body. The exact cause of cancer that
starts in the liver is not known. Medical problems that
seem to increase the risk of liver cancer are:
- chronic hepatitis B and C infections
- scarring of the liver (cirrhosis), which most often
results from alcohol abuse.
Also, long-term use of anabolic steroids can slightly
increase the risk of liver cancer. Exposure to vinyl
chloride and arsenic is rare but these chemicals can
markedly increase your risk.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of liver cancer are:
- pain or discomfort on the right side, especially in the
upper belly or around the right shoulder blade
- a hard lump on the right side just below the rib cage
- unexplained weight loss
- loss of appetite
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes).
How is it diagnosed?
To diagnose liver cancer, your health care provider will ask
about your symptoms and health history. You will have a
physical exam.
Your provider may also order these tests:
- blood tests
- ultrasound or CT scan
- laparoscopy (a surgical procedure to look at the organs
inside the belly)
- biopsy (the removal of cells or tissues for lab tests,
often with a needle inserted through your skin and into
the liver after your skin has been numbed with an
anesthetic).
How is it treated?
The treatment depends on how advanced the cancer is and if
it is primary or secondary.
Possible treatments are:
- surgery to remove the tumor or part or all of the liver
- chemotherapy, which uses anticancer drugs to kill cancer
cells and shrink tumors
- high-energy radio waves, freezing with a cold probe, or
injecting alcohol into the tumor to destroy the tumor.
How long will the effects last?
The effects of liver cancer vary depending on the stage at
which the tumor was detected and when treatment began. Your
age and general health are also important. If a liver tumor
(hepatoma) is found at an early stage, surgery may result in
a cure if you don't have cirrhosis. However, surgery may
not be a good option if the tumor is large, your liver is
not working well, or you have cirrhosis.
The more the cancer has spread before diagnosis, the less
chance for cure. Survival after diagnosis is often only
several months but may be longer.
How can I take care of myself?
- Complete the full course of surgery or chemotherapy
treatments your health care provider orders.
- Take the suggested medicines for nausea and vomiting to
help with possible side effects of cancer-fighting
treatments.
- If possible, join a support group for cancer patients to
help you during your illness.
- Contact national and local self-help organizations such
as:
- Maintain a hopeful and positive outlook throughout your
treatment and recovery.
What can be done to help prevent liver cancer from spreading
or recurring?
You may be able to reduce the likelihood of spread or
recurrence of liver cancer by following these guidelines:
- See your health care provider right away if you notice a
return of any previous symptoms or develop any new ones.
- Avoid alcohol.
- Eat small, frequent, well-balanced meals throughout the
day. Take vitamin and mineral supplements with iron,
folic acid, and thiamine, if recommended by your
provider.
- Make sure that restaurants and grocery stores where you
buy food, and areas where you prepare food, are safe and
clean.
- Exercise according to your health care provider's
recommendations.
- Do not use illegal drugs.
Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to
change as new health information becomes available. The
information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a
replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or
treatment by a healthcare professional.
HIA File CNC3527F.HTM Release 9.0/2006
Copyright © 2006 McKesson Corporation and/or one of its subsidiaries. All Rights Reserved.
Copyright © 2006 McKesson Corporation and/or one of its subsidiaries. All Rights Reserved.