Are You At Risk Of Developing Liver Cancer?

Liver cancer is somewhat unusual because it is generally the result of metastasis, as opposed to native cancerous cells. This means that when someone gets liver cancer, it was the result of cancerous cells from another part of the body, say, the colorectal system, spreading from there into the liver. Whether they began there or migrated there, liver cancer cells grow in the form of tumors, sometimes reaching large sizes.

The liver itself is quite large, one of the largest organs. Located in between the diaphragm and stomach, it is a vital organ that provides numerous functions for the human body. It stores glycogen, synthesizes proteins, and, perhaps most famously, detoxifies the bloodstream. It also has many other roles to play like being a main cog in the digestive system.

With all of its functions tied to key systems in the body, it is no wonder that when cancer strikes, the symptoms are more often than not of the specific type. Two of the most common are jaundice and abdominal pains, but unexpected loss of weight and fever may occur also. Actually, the set of symptoms one experiences is mostly determined by the exact diagnosis from the doctor.

There are four main types of liver cancer that are seen most often: heptocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, hepatoblastoma, angiosarcoma. Each of these subtypes will effect a different type of cell in the organ. Heptocellular carcinoma is found the most often while angiosarcoma is the more rare yet deadly, because of its aggressive nature.

So what causes liver cancer? It is not completely certain but there are definite risk factors that can put you at a greater chance of developing liver cancer at some point in your lifetime. One of these factors is hepatitis infection. These viruses attack the liver and prolonged exposure can lead to cancer. Another risk factor is diabetes. It has been shown that people with diabetes are much more likely to develop tumors in their liver than people without diabetes.

The risk factor that will probably surprise no one is alcohol consumption. We know that the liver detoxifies the blood, and that includes removing alcohol. Too much alcohol consumption (along with other factors) can lead to cirrhosis of the liver, a state which not only permanently impairs your liver's ability to function but also makes it much more susceptible to cancer.

The best way to avoid it is to maintain a healthy lifestyle and watch out for the risk factors listed above. If you notice any of the symptoms arising you may want to see a doctor. They can conduct various non-invasive tests such as blood work or imaging, and if they feel it necessary, a biopsy may be performed. After a biopsy, further tests may be conducted in order to determine the exact state of the cancer so that treatment can be tailored to do the most good.

There are a number of different treatments available. The situation will mostly depend on factors such as the age and health of the patient, and of course, how far along the disease is.

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