You can’t miss these useful facts about liver cancer!

Liver cancer is a serious cancer that is often difficult to detect in its early stages, but once it develops to the late stages, it is difficult to treat. Understanding the risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, and prevention measures for liver cancer is essential to reducing the risk of disease, early detection, and effective treatment. This popular article will provide you with important knowledge about liver cancer and help you better understand this disease.

Part 1: What is liver cancer?

Definition of Liver Cancer

Liver cancer, also called hepatocellular carcinoma or hepatoma, is a type of cancer that develops in the tissues of the liver. It usually starts in the cells within the liver and can be either primary (develops from within the liver) or secondary (spreads to the liver from somewhere else).

Important Role of the Liver

The liver plays a number of important roles in the body, including detoxification, metabolism, protein synthesis, and bile production. Therefore, any issues affecting liver health can have widespread effects on the body.

Part II: Risk Factors for Liver Cancer

a. Hepatitis B and C: Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the most common causes of liver cancer.

b. Alcoholism: Excessive drinking increases the risk of liver cancer.

c. Fatty liver disease: People with fatty liver disease are also more likely to develop liver cancer.

d. Cirrhosis: Cirrhosis is the result of liver tissue damage and fibrosis, which increases the risk of liver cancer.

e. Genetic factors: Certain inherited gene mutations may also increase the risk of liver cancer.

f. Toxins and chemicals: Long-term exposure to some toxic chemicals, such as chromium, nickel, and arsenic, may increase the risk of liver cancer.

Part 3: Symptoms of Liver Cancer

Liver cancer often has no obvious symptoms in its early stages, so it can be difficult to detect. However, as the tumor grows and spreads, symptoms may appear, including the following:

a. Abdominal discomfort or pain: Patients may feel abdominal discomfort or dull pain, especially in the liver area.

b. Mass or lump in the liver: Sometimes, the tumor grows inside the liver and forms a palpable mass, which may be accompanied by local swelling.

c. Weight loss and loss of appetite: Patients may lose weight without realizing it and have a significant decrease in appetite.

d. Fatigue and weakness: Liver cancer patients often feel persistent fatigue and weakness, which may be related to the metabolic effects of the tumor.

e. Jaundice: Liver cancer may cause jaundice, a yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes, usually associated with impaired liver function and bile duct obstruction.

f. Ascites: Advanced liver cancer may cause fluid to accumulate in the abdominal cavity, causing ascites, which can cause abdominal distension and discomfort.

g. Nausea and vomiting: Some patients may experience nausea and vomiting, especially in advanced exacerbations.

h. Abnormal liver function: Liver cancer may cause abnormal liver function, such as elevated liver enzymes or coagulation disorders.

i. Skin itching: Some patients may experience generalized or localized skin itching, which may also be related to liver function problems.

Part IV: Diagnosis and Detection of Liver Cancer

a. Blood tests: By checking the levels of liver function markers and liver cancer markers (such as AFP) in the blood, your doctor can make a preliminary assessment of liver health and the possible presence of tumors.

b. Imaging tests: These include ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, and nuclear medicine scans. These tests can help doctors determine the size, location, and spread of liver cancer.

c. Biopsy: If in doubt, your doctor may need to do a biopsy to collect a tissue sample to confirm whether cancer is present.

Part 5: Treatment Options for Liver Cancer

Treatment for liver cancer usually depends on the stage of the disease, the size and location of the tumor, liver function, and the patient's overall health. The following are some of the main options for liver cancer treatment:

a. Surgical treatment: Surgery is the first choice for treating early liver cancer. It includes the following types:

Hepatectomy: Removal of part of the liver where the tumor has occurred.

Liver transplant: In some cases, if the tumor has not spread to other parts of the body, a liver transplant may be considered to replace the tumorous liver with a healthy one. However, due to the scarcity of donors and the high risks of the procedure, liver transplants are usually only performed under strict conditions.

b. Chemotherapy: Drug therapy can be used to slow the growth and spread of tumors. Chemotherapy can be given as oral medication or intravenously. Although the side effects of chemotherapy may affect a person's quality of life, it is still an effective treatment option for some people.

c. Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to irradiate the tumor to kill cancer cells or reduce the size of the tumor. It is usually used for tumors that cannot be removed surgically or as an adjuvant treatment after surgery.

d. Targeted therapy: Targeted therapy is a new type of drug treatment that blocks the spread of tumors by interfering with the growth signals of cancer cells. These drugs usually selectively attack cancer cells, reducing some of the side effects of traditional chemotherapy drugs.

e. Interventional treatments: Interventional treatments include catheter-based treatments such as transarterial embolization (TACE) or radiofrequency ablation. These procedures are performed by placing a catheter directly into the tumor site to try to shrink the tumor or cut off its blood supply.

f. Clinical trials: Some patients may have the opportunity to participate in clinical trials for liver cancer that test new treatments or drugs. These trials help advance research and development of liver cancer treatments and may provide new treatment opportunities for patients.

Part VI: Prevention and Lifestyle of Liver Cancer

a. Vaccination: The hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine is one of the effective ways to prevent liver cancer. HBV vaccination can reduce the risk of hepatitis B, thereby reducing the incidence of liver cancer. In addition, hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is also one of the risk factors for liver cancer, so it is also very important to ensure the sterile operation of medical devices and avoid sharing syringes.

b. Avoid excessive drinking: Excessive drinking can be toxic to the liver and increase the risk of liver cancer. Men should not drink more than two drinks a day, and women should not drink more than one drink a day. If you have a drinking problem, it is critical to seek treatment and support.

c. Healthy diet: Eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat protein, and healthy fats can help reduce the risk of liver cancer. Avoid foods high in sugar, fat, and salt, which may be bad for liver health.

d. Maintain a healthy weight: There is a link between obesity and liver cancer. By staying within a healthy weight range, you can reduce your risk of liver cancer. Regular exercise and a controlled diet are key to maintaining your weight.

e. Regular medical examinations: Regular medical examinations can help detect liver cancer or liver problems early and increase the chances of successful treatment. For high-risk groups, such as hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus carriers, they should undergo regular liver function tests and imaging tests.

f. Avoid toxins: Long-term exposure to some toxic chemicals, such as chromium, nickel, and arsenic, may increase the risk of liver cancer. Avoid contact with these substances in your work or living environment and take necessary safety measures.

g. Support mental health: Stress and anxiety can negatively impact liver health. Finding effective ways to manage stress, such as meditation, yoga, progressive muscle relaxation, or counseling with a psychologist, is important for maintaining both mental and physical health.

Conclusion:

Liver cancer is a serious cancer, but by understanding the risk factors, early symptoms, diagnostic methods and preventive measures, we can better cope with this challenge. Early detection and treatment are essential to improve the survival rate of patients. At the same time, adopting a healthy lifestyle and preventive measures can reduce the risk of liver cancer. Working closely with your doctor, regular physical examinations and monitoring are also an important step in protecting liver health. Let us pay attention to liver cancer, raise awareness of this disease, and work together to prevent and treat liver cancer. (Zhang Yang, Anqing 116 Hospital, Anqing City, Anhui Province)