Book An AppointmentWhat are the symptoms of liver cancer?
Symptoms of liver cancer vary widely and may include
What are the risk factors for liver cancer?
- Viral hepatitis such as hepatitis B and C
- Regular alcohol consumption
- Cirrhosis – cirrhosis due to any cause increases the risk of liver cancer
- Diabetes – It can result in fatty liver disease and thus leading to hepatitis and predisposes to cancer.
- Non alcoholic fatty liver disease – it can lead to inflammation of liver cell thus predisposing to formation of cancer.
- Hereditary conditions like hemochromatosis( iron deposition in liver), Wilson disease ( copper deposition in liver)
- Aflatoxins – consumption of food product infected with fungus producing aflatoxins can also produce liver cancer
How can liver cancer be prevented?
Prevention is very important when it comes to a disease like liver cancer. The underlying cause of liver cancer is often liver inflammation and the development of a condition called Cirrhosis. In addition to avoidance of drugs and alcohol, infection (such as Hepatitis B or C) and obesity can contribute to the development of liver cancer.
Steps to minimize these risks include
- Vaccination against hepatitis B for those at risk,
- Prompt treatment for patients infected with hepatitis C,
- Maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise.
- Avoidance of alcohol
- Good control of diabetes.
How is liver cancer detected?
Patients diagnosed at an earlier stage have better outcomes. There are many strategies that are used to detect liver cancer, including.
Several researchers are looking to find the one blood test that will help identify liver cancer much sooner. Until that time, we continue to remain vigilant and screen with a variety of methods to try to catch this disease as early as possible.
Are fatty liver disease and liver cancer related?
Fatty liver disease progressing onto non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH) can result in cirrhosis of the liver. Cirrhosis of the liver predisposes the patient to liver cancer. The fatty liver itself does not predispose a patient to cancer however if it is controlled at an early stage before it progresses onto cirrhosis then the risk of liver cancer is negligible.
What is the optimal treatment of liver cancers?
In general, the basic approach of any cancer therapy can also apply to liver cancer. The treatment of the local disease. In liver cancer, we often address the local disease with:
without cirrhosis of the liver.
cirrhosis provided tumor size and number criteria are met. It takes
care of cirrhosis of the liver also.
Are herbal medicines recommended to treat liver cancer?
The term ‘herbal medicine’ can represent thousands of compounds. Unfortunately, most are not rigorously tested or regulated by the companies that produce them, so real evidence of any benefit is not known. In fact, they may have harmful side effects that one comes to know only after using them.
Should I be worried if I have a cyst on my liver?
There is often nothing to worry about with simple cysts in the liver. They can be quite common. When we find cysts that are growing, we will often take extra care to ensure that
- There is not an associated tumor causing the growth
- That cyst is not causing problems.
This is often discussed over time with your hepatologist and/or liver surgeon who can help in differentiating malignant ( cancerous) cysts from nonmalignant ones.
What should I do if some lesion is found in the liver on a regular check-up?
Lesions in the liver on ultrasound can be of many types
Non-cancerous
- Hemangioma ( abnormal formation of blood vessels)
- Abscess ( pus collection in liver)
- Granulomas in liver- because of TB , Sarcoidosis etc.
- Cysts of liver – that can be simple cyst or hydatid cysts ( worm infestation)
Cancerous
- Primary liver cancer
- Metastatic tumor from some other organ- liver is most common site of spread of tumors from other abdominal organs.
- Neuroendocrine tumor of liver
- Malignant cysts of liver
A hepatologist or liver surgeon can help you in guiding you towards diagnosis and treatment by carrying out relevant investigations.
If a parent had/has liver cancer, are their children at greater risk of getting it?
In some cases, yes, a parent with liver cancer can raise your personal risk e.g in hereditary disease as Hemochromatosis, or Wilson’s disease. However, this is not true for the majority of patients. It’s always good to talk to your primary care doctor about your concerns or questions.