Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)
Liver Cancer
Most liver cancer does not actually originate in the liver; it spreads to the liver from a cancer elsewhere in the body. When this happens, the disease is not considered primary liver cancer. The cancer is referred to by the name of its original site and as metastatic, meaning it has spread (i.e. metastatic colon cancer). It may also be referred to as secondary liver cancer.
Cancer that begins in the liver is called primary liver cancer. In the United States, this type of cancer is relatively uncommon.
This page contains the following information about liver cancer:
- Facts About Liver Cancer
- Risk Factors
- Reducing the Risk
- Symptoms of Liver Cancer
- Imaging Exams for Detecting Liver Cancer
- Radiology Procedures for Treating Liver Cancer
- Additional Information
Facts About Liver Cancer
Following are some facts about liver cancer:
- About 14,000 cases of primary liver cancer are diagnosed each year.
- Primary liver cancer is twice as common in men as in women.
- Of the approximately 140,000 individuals who are diagnosed with colon cancer each year, roughly half of them will develop tumors in their liver (secondary liver cancer) at the same time.
- In contrast to many other types of cancer, the number of people who get primary liver cancer and die from it is increasing.
- Asian Americans have the highest rate of primary liver cancer in the United States; African Americans and Hispanic Americans also have higher rates than do Caucasians.
Risk Factors
No one yet knows the exact causes of primary liver cancer. However, the following risk factors can make you more likely to develop it:
- Being male
- Being Asian American
- Chronic liver infection, particularly with Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C
- Cirrhosis
- Family history of liver cancer
- Over age 60
- Tobacco use
- Use of anabolic steriods
Having another type of cancer is a considerable risk factor for secondary liver cancer.
Reducing the Risk
Worldwide, the most significant risk factor for liver cancer is infection with Hepatitis B or C. Children and high risk adults should get the Hepatitis B vaccine. Unfortunately, there is no vaccine for Hepatitis C.
To avoid contracting Hepatitis C, which can lead to liver cancer, adhere to the following:
- Be cautious about blood products in certain countries
- Avoid body piercing and tattooing
- Do not engage in unprotected sex with someone who has Hepatitis or who’s health status is unknown to you
- Do not inject drugs or always use clean needles
Following are additional measures you can take to reduce the risk of liver cancer:
- Stop smoking
- Drink only in moderation to prevent cirrhosis and the progression of existing liver cancer
- Avoid medications that may cause liver damage (such as mixing acetominophen and alcohol; consult your physician for additional medications you should avoid)
- Avoid exposure to environmental toxins
Symptoms of Liver Cancer
Liver cancer usually doesn’t cause symptoms until its later stages; consequently, it’s seldom found early.
Following are some symptoms of liver cancer:
- Unexplained weight loss
- Ongoing lack of appetite
- Feeling very full after a small meal
- Ongoing stomach pain
- Swelling in the area of the stomach
- Jaundice
- Becoming sicker if you have chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis
These symptoms may be caused by other illnesses also. If you have any of these symptoms, consult your primary care physician to determine the cause.
Imaging Exams for Detecting Liver Cancer
Your physician may order one of many imaging exams offered at Invision Sally Jobe to diagnose liver cancer.
CT scans, MRIs, ultrasound and angiograms may all be used to see an image of the liver that will enable a radiologist to identify tumors.
If liver cancer is suspected, your physician may also order a liver biopsy, where a needle is inserted into the liver using a CT scanner or ultrasound for guidance to remove a small amount of tissue for examination.
Radiology Procedures for Treating Liver Cancer
Surgical removal of liver tumors offers the best chances of a cure. Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, the tumors are inoperable for more than two-thirds of patients with primary liver cancer and 90% of patients with secondary liver cancer.
Radiology procedures offer non-surgical ways to shrink tumors and reduce pain. Various imaging techniques are used to guide catheters to the site of the tumors, where heat, radiation or chemotherapy drugs can be applied directly to the tumor site. This is done through radiofrequency ablation, Yttrium-90 microsphere radioembolization, or chemoembolization.
Additional Information
The information on this page was taken in part from some of the following web sites. Visit these sites for additional information on liver cancer.
Sources
- American Cancer Society
- Mayo Clinic
- Society of Interventional Radiologists
- National Cancer Institute
