The liver is responsible for constantly filtering the blood flowing in the body. It also converts nutrients and medications that are absorbed in the digestive system into chemicals ready for use. The liver has other important functions, including removing toxins and other chemicals from the blood and turning them into secretions.
It is easy for cancer cells to reach the liver, as all the blood flowing in the body passes through it.
Therefore, it is possible for the liver to develop a primary cancer that forms on its own, or a cancer that forms in other places in the body and then spreads to the liver. In most cases, liver cancer is a secondary or metastatic cancer, which means the source of the cancer is elsewhere in the body.
In various parts of the world, primary liver cancer affects men twice as often as women. It is the most common cancer among men, and often affects people over the age of 50.
Types of liver tumors
The liver is made up of several types of cells, so several tumors can affect it.
Some tumors are benign, while others are malignant tumors that can spread to other places in the body. Different tumors develop for different reasons and are treated in different ways, and the chances of recovery depend on the type of tumor. Below is an explanation of these tumors. :
- Benign liver tumors
The most common benign liver tumors are:
Hemangioma.
Adenocarcinoma of the liver.
Focal tumor-like process.
bag.
Leiomyoma.
Lymphoma.
fibroma.
The treatment of these tumors differs from the treatment of cancerous tumors. Sometimes, when they cause pain or bleeding, they need to be removed surgically.
- Types of liver cancer
Types of liver cancer are:
Hepatocellular carcinoma.
Bile duct cancer.
Symptoms of liver cancer
Symptoms that appear when suffering from liver cancer:
Yellowing and paleness of the skin and jaundice.
- Yellowing of the whites of the eyes.
Anorexia.
Unexplained weight loss.
Feeling tired and exhausted.
A mass in the right side of the abdomen.
Feeling flu symptoms.
Causes and risk factors of liver cancer
Primary liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) usually affects people with:
Congenital malformations of the liver.
People who drink alcohol excessively.
People with chronic infections caused by other diseases, such as hepatitis C and B, hemochromatosis, and cirrhosis.
More than 50% of people with primary liver cancer develop cirrhosis due to the factors mentioned above.
Carcinogens responsible for liver cancer
Several carcinogens are among the most important causes of primary liver cancer, including:
Some herbicides.
- Some chemicals, such as vinyl chloride and arsenic.
Smoking, especially when combined with consuming large amounts of alcoholic beverages.
Alpha toxin, a carcinogen produced by a certain type of fungus that can cause disease. Alpha toxins are sometimes found in wheat, pistachios, rice, corn, or soy.
Other risk factors
Other factors that affect the incidence of liver cancer include:
Patient’s gender.
the weight.
Use of stimulants.
Complications of liver cancer
Complications of liver cancer include:
Anemia.
hemorrhage.
Portal hypertension.
High levels of calcium in the blood.
Hepatic encephalopathy.
Diagnosis of liver cancer
It is not common to perform broad imaging tests on all patients for early detection of primary liver cancer, but it is possible for people at high risk of developing the disease to have these tests. However, research has not determined whether imaging is appropriate and effective for all patients.
In order to diagnose liver cancer, you must first rule out other diseases that may have the same symptoms.
Tests to detect liver cancer
Other additional tests include:
Blood tests
These tests measure tumor markers, which are substances that increase in the blood when you have liver cancer, and can help determine the diagnosis.
Liver cancer secretes a substance called alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), which is usually present in the fetus and disappears at birth.
Ultrasound examination
This is generally the first examination performed; In fact, it can detect tumors up to one centimeter in size.
Computed tomography (CT – computed tomography) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI – magnetic resonance imaging)
These tests can detect existing tumors and help classify and classify them, but they often give false positive results.
Biopsy
It is the only test capable of distinguishing a benign tumor from a malignant tumor.
Laparoscopy
It is an effective test for detecting small tumors, determining the extent of liver cirrhosis, or taking a sample for a biopsy, etc.
Liver cancer treatment
All types of liver cancer are difficult to treat diseases. In a few cases, primary liver cancer is detected at an early stage, when the chances of recovery are good. Secondary liver cancer is also difficult to treat; In fact, in this case, the cancer has metastasized and spread.
In addition, the liver’s complex networks of blood vessels and bile ducts make surgery difficult.
Treatment of liver cancer depends on improving the patient’s feelings and trying to prolong his life, which are as follows:
- Surgery
Tumors discovered in the initial stages can be removed by surgery, and patients whose tumor is discovered at an early stage are more likely to be cured.
Unfortunately, in most cases of liver cancer, surgery cannot be performed. This is because the cancer is at an advanced stage or the infection is too severe to be tolerated after surgery.
- Chemotherapy
In some cases, tumors can be reduced in size with chemotherapy and then removed with surgery.
There is no evidence that postoperative chemotherapy increases a patient’s chances of survival. Patients who have been successfully treated and whose disease has regressed must remain under close observation and follow-up, to ensure that the disease does not recur.
- Cryotherapy
A treatment method in which the tumor is frozen and cauterized using radio waves to get rid of the tumor. This method can be used in certain cases of liver cancer. - Radiation therapy
These treatments can be done in several ways but have limitations. Because the liver’s tolerance to radiation is low, radiation is used to relieve symptoms outside the liver or to relieve pain in the liver by shrinking the tumor. - Liver transplantation
It is an option intended for the treatment of patients with liver cancer and cirrhosis. There is a high risk in this operation, but it also has therapeutic opportunities.
Advanced liver cancer involves using a single treatment in a concentrated manner. Sometimes it is possible to stop the spread of cancer and relieve pain using low-dose chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but the effectiveness of this type of treatment for this cancer is low.
- Treating various pains
Most patients receive a combination of strong pain relievers and medications to relieve nausea and bloating, or to improve appetite.
Sorafenib is the first drug to achieve a very significant improvement in the general condition of patients with advanced liver cancer who cannot be treated with chemotherapy.
- Treatments that are still under clinical research
People with advanced liver cancer can choose to join clinical research to examine new treatment methods. This research involves freezing cancer cells to destroy them, and using biological agents, such as interferon or interleukin 2, to stimulate the liver cancer system. The immune system attacks cancer cells using synthetic proteins specifically designed to eliminate specific tumors.
Prevention of liver cancer
Ways to prevent liver cancer include:
Drink alcohol in moderation and do not drink it excessively.
Maintain a healthy and healthy weight.
Get vaccinated against hepatitis C.
Direct treatment for liver problems.
Undergo periodic examinations.
