The liver is an organ that is located in the upper right part of the abdomen, below the diaphragm, and above the stomach. In the human body, the liver is one of the largest organs. Cancer that begins in the cells of the liver is called Liver cancer.
Cancer that begins in another part of the body and then spreads to the liver is metastatic cancer and not liver cancer. It has a low survival rate. Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common liver cancer type.
Symptoms
Most people do not have any signs or symptoms of liver cancer until it reaches an advanced stage. When they do appear, the symptoms usually are, unintended weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, jaundice, weakness, fatigue, abdominal pain, swelling in the abdomen, fever and itching.
Causes
The exact cause of liver cancer is unknown, but most cases are linked to the damage and scarring of the liver, which is called cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is caused by drinking excessive alcohol over a number of years, having a long term hepatitis B infection, having a long term hepatitis C infection, Haemochromatosis, primary biliary cirrhosis. Other risk factors that can increase the chance of development of liver cancer are diabetes, family history, fatty liver disease and obesity.
Treatment
Liver cancer is categorised into four stages. Stage one is where the tumor is in the liver and has not spread to another area. Stage two is when there are several small tumors that are in the liver or a large one which has spread to a blood vessel. Stage three is when there are large tumors in the liver or one large one which has reached a main blood vessel. Stage four is when the tumor has reached other parts of the body or metastasized. Treatment for liver cancer would usually depend on the stage it is diagnosed at. In the early stages, when the tumor is small the treatment option may be to perform partial hepatectomy. In this surgery, only a part of the liver, where the tumor is, may be removed.
Another treatment option could be a liver transplant. In cases where both these options are not possible, localised treatments may be given to slow the growth of the tumors and treat cancer symptoms. These treatments could be ablative therapy, when substances are injected into the tumors, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
Liver cancer is a serious disease with comparatively low survival rate. To decrease the risk of developing liver cancer, one must have alcohol intake which is moderate, limit the use of tobacco, get vaccinated against hepatitis B, maintain a healthy body weight to avoid obesity and fatty liver disease, and treat conditions that can lead to cirrhosis.
Disclaimer: The information in no way constitutes, or should be construed as medical advice. Nor is the above article an endorsement of any research findings discussed in the article an endorsement for any of the source publications.
Sources-
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/liver-cancer/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353664
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/172408.php
- https://www.cancer.org/cancer/liver-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/prevention.html
Liver is one of body's largest organ. It is located in the upper right hand side of the abdomen, just below the diaphragm. In adults the liver weighs around 3 pounds and is divided by a membrane into two parts -- the right and left lobes. It is reddish brown in colour and has about 13 percent of the total blood of the body in it at any point of time.
Read More..
The prostate is a walnut shaped exocrine gland in men. The fluid secreted by this gland nourishes and transports the sperm to the vagina. Prostate gland is also responsible for urine control in men. Cancer in the prostate gland is the one of most common cause of cancer in men.
Read More..
Halitosis is the medical name for bad breath. Halitosis may be the result of poor dental habits or could be a symptom of other underlying health issues. It causes embarrassment, anxiety and worry. Bad breath is made worse by eating certain foods and other unhealthy lifestyle habits. Bad breath affects 1 out of 4 people globally.
Read More..
