Liver cancer is characterised by abnormal growth and multiplication of liver cells. It is sometimes referred to as hepatic cancer, or hepatic malignancy.
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Dr. Abhishek YadavLiver cancer is characterised by abnormal growth and multiplication of liver cells. It is sometimes referred to as hepatic cancer, or hepatic malignancy. There are two types of liver cancer: primary, in which the cancer begins in the liver, and secondary, in which the cancer metastasises (originating in another part of the body and spreading to the liver). Metastatic liver cancers are more common. In the current scenario, liver cancer cases and the associated deaths are rising across the globe. It stands third in terms of cancer-related deaths and is sixth in terms of most commonly diagnosed types of cancer. Also, it's the second most common cause of cancer-related premature deaths worldwide.
However, reducing exposure to known risk factors for liver cancer, such as hepatitis infection, excessive alcohol consumption, and tobacco abuse, can prevent many cases of the disease. If liver cancer is detected in early stages when it is small and has not spread, then resection surgery (removal of a part of liver) can be done to remove it. The patient might require a liver transplant if the cancer size is large or has started spreading. It may require a considerable amount of time to recover from any liver cancer surgery.
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Liver CancerThe liver is the largest internal organ of the body. It carries out numerous vital tasks to support your body's ability to heal wounds, absorb nutrients, and get rid of waste.
Liver cancer is abnormal behavior of liver cells and loss of ability to divide in organized manner, resulting in uncontrolled cell multiplication. When cancer begins to grow in the liver, it kills liver cells and prevents the liver from functioning normally.
It is one of the fastest spreading cancers and is most deadly in nature. Doctors can treat liver cancer more effectively in its early stages, similar to many other types of cancer. Medical professionals are aware of the factors that raise a person's risk of developing liver cancer, unlike many other types of cancer. In order to detect and treat primary liver cancer as soon as possible, doctors prefer the screening of the individuals who are more susceptible to develop this cancer. In later stages, this cancer becomes very difficult to treat and may require a liver transplant.
CONTACT USFollowing are the two major types of liver cancers:
This type of cancer originates from the liver cells.
This type of cancer originates from another part of the body first and then infiltrates liver tissue. This type is more common.
Liver cells undergo abnormal DNA alterations or mutations, resulting in liver cancer. This results in uncontrolled cell divisions eventually developing into a tumor, which is a mass of cancerous cells. Sometimes, persistent hepatitis infections result in liver cancer. In such cases, inflammation in liver tissue triggers the cancer development However, liver cancer can also occur in healthy individuals with no known cause.
Following are certain risk factors behind liver cancer:
Your doctor may suspect liver cancer based on your medical history, physical examination, and signs and symptoms. In light of these results, your doctor might recommend the following tests to you
Doctors treat different types of liver cancers at varied stages with a variety of standard procedures, such as partial hepatectomy (surgical resection of damaged part of liver), liver transplantation, and liver-directed therapies like hepatic artery embolization and ablation. A variety of other methods involve chemotherapy, chemoembolization, radiation therapy, radioembolization, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy.
Liver cancer can be cured successfully with liver transplantation if the complete removal of liver is the demand of the treatment. But not every patient in need of one will be in good health status to undergo the procedure or be able to locate a donor.
Liver cancer remains a fatal threat to a number of people. As per records, around 35% of early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients are still living even five years after their cancer diagnosis. Around 12% of HCC patients who received treatment for the tumor that has spread only to the nearby tissue organs or lymph nodes are still living even five years after their cancer diagnosis. Around 3% of HCC patients who received treatment for the tumor that has spread further are still living even five years after their cancer diagnosis.
The five-year survival rate for intrahepatic bile duct cancer that hasn’t spread outside the liver is around 24%. 9% for the one that has spread to nearby lymph nodes. 2% for the one that has spread further.
Although liver cancer cannot be totally prevented, you can reduce your risk of developing the disease by doing the following
Treatment options for liver cancer get limited because the disease is generally identified only when it has progressed to an advanced stage. In such cases, doctors concentrate on providing care that will help you maintain your quality of life while managing your cancer's progression and symptom relief. Discuss your treatment options, including benefits and associated side-effects with liver specialist doctor in Pune, India if you have an advanced form of liver cancer, so that you can make informed decisions towards your health. Most of the time, liver cancer is curable.
Make sure you discuss any new or worrisome symptoms with your doctor, as well as any side effects from your medication that might be affecting you. Your doctor might be able to modify your therapy and improve your level of comfort.
A: If your cancer is detected when it's in stage A or 1, you might be able to recover fully. There are three primary methods to accomplish this: resection, or cutting out the affected portion of the liver, undergoing a liver transplant in which the damaged liver is removed and replaced with a healthy one.
A: The rate at which liver cancer spreads varies according to its type. Hepatocellular carcinoma spreads slowly, while hemangiosarcoma and angiosarcoma types spread rapidly.
A: Yes, liver cancer is often aggressive particularly in advanced stages. In such cases, liver transplant is the most suitable treatment option.
A: Some years after diagnosis, advanced liver cancer patients pass away from liver cancer and associated damage, underscoring the importance of specialized long-term follow-up care.
A: Unfortunately, there is no cure for liver cancer once it has progressed. The treatment goals are to manage the cancer spread, reduce symptoms, and improve your quality of life.
