Liver Cancer eng

Liver cancer happens when normal cells within the liver turn into abnormal cells and grow out of control. The liver is a huge organ within the upper right side of the belly.

Most people who get cancer of the liver have long-term disease (also known as chronic liver disease). Having long-term liver disease will increase an individual’s possibilities of getting liver cancer. the most common and most serious kind of long-term liver disease is a condition known as “cirrhosis,” that scars the liver.

Liver cancer doesn’t typically cause any symptoms of its own. some patients might have a lump or mild pain within the upper belly, feel full too soon after they try to eat, or reduce weight.Others might have symptoms that are caused by the liver disease that they had before they got cancer. Those symptoms can intensify or return due to the cancer. They include:

  • Swelling of the belly or legs
  • The skin or white part of the eyes turns yellow

If you’ve got these symptoms, tell your doctor.

Yes. If your doctor suspects you’ve got liver cancer, he or she will do one or more of the subsequent tests:

  • Blood tests
  • An MRI scan, CT scan, ultrasound, or other imaging test – Imaging tests produce photoes of the inside of the body and may show abnormal growths.
  • Biopsy – For this test, a doctor will take away a small sample of tissue from the liver. Another doctor will examine the sample under a microscope to ascertain if it is cancer.
Cancer staging is a way in which doctors determine if a cancer has spread past the layer of tissue where it began and, if so, how far.
  • Liver cancer are often treated in several ways. Treatment will be depending on the stage of your cancer. It conjointly depends on how healthy your liver is (in other words, how serious your liver disease was before you got cancer). the various treatments include:
  • Surgery – Liver carcinoma can typically be treated with surgery to get rid of the part of the liver with the cancer.
  • Liver transplant – A liver transplant is a kind of surgery within which a doctor replaces a diseased liver with a healthy liver from another person.
  • Ablation therapy – Ablation therapy is a procedure which can kill cancer cells within the liver. It doesn’t involve surgery. Doctors can do ablation therapy in several ways. they can kill the cancer cells using heat, a laser, radiation, or by injecting a special alcohol directly into the cancer.
  • Blocking the cancer’s blood supply – Doctors can do a procedure known as “embolization” to block off the vessel that sends blood to the cancer. This method keeps the disease from growing by “starving” it of its blood supply. Sometimes, the embolization procedure is collectively done with chemotherapy (“chemoembolization”) or radiation (“radioembolization”).
  • Chemotherapy – chemotherapy is the medical term used for medications that kill cancer cells or prevent them from growing.

After treatment, you’ll be checked every so often to ascertain if the cancer comes back. Regular follow up tests sometimes include exams, blood tests, and imaging tests.

You should also notice the symptoms listed above. Having those symptoms might mean the cancer has returned. Tell your doctor if you’ve got any symptoms.

If you had a liver transplant, you’ll have to be compelled to take medicines known as “anti-rejection medicines” for the rest of your life. These medicines help to keep your body from reacting badly to your new liver.

 

If the cancer comes back or spreads, your doctor will talk with you regarding possible treatment choices. These may include the treatments listed above.

It is necessary to follow all of your doctor’s directions concerning visits and tests. it is also necessary to speak to your doctor concerning any side effects or issues you’ve got throughout treatment. those that have liver disease, particularly if they have long-term disease, ought to avoid alcohol and any medicine that could be harmful to the liver.

Getting treated for liver disease involves making several decisions, like what treatment to have.

Always let your doctors know how you are feeling about a treatment. Any time you’re offered a treatment, ask:

  • What are the advantages of this treatment? Is it likely to help me live longer? will it reduce or prevent symptoms?
  • What are the downsides to the current treatment?
  • Are there alternative choices besides this treatment?
  • What happens if I don’t have this treatment?

Liver Cancer

Liver Cancer: Raising Awareness for Early Detection and Treatment

The liver is one of the most important organs in our body, responsible for regulating vital functions such as digestion and metabolism. Unfortunately, it is also a common site for cancerous growths to develop. Liver cancer can be a daunting diagnosis, but with knowledge and understanding, we can better navigate this disease. In this blog post, we will delve into the basics of liver cancer – from its causes and symptoms to treatment options and prevention measures – so that you have all the information you need to stay informed about this serious illness. Join us as we explore what you need to know about liver cancer!

Liver Cancer

Liver Cancer: Raising Awareness for Early Detection and Treatment

The liver is one of the most important organs in our body, responsible for regulating vital functions such as digestion and metabolism. Unfortunately, it is also a common site for cancerous growths to develop. Liver cancer can be a daunting diagnosis, but with knowledge and understanding, we can better navigate this disease. In this blog post, we will delve into the basics of liver cancer – from its causes and symptoms to treatment options and prevention measures – so that you have all the information you need to stay informed about this serious illness. Join us as we explore what you need to know about liver cancer!

Liver cancer

What is liver cancer?

Liver cancer, also known as hepatic cancer, refers to the abnormal growth of cells in the liver, leading to the formation of tumors. It is a type of cancer that originates in the liver or spreads to the liver from other parts of the body. The most common form of liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which accounts for the majority of cases.

Types of liver cancer

There are many types of liver cancer including:

Types of liver cancer

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC): This is the most common primary liver cancer, originating from liver cells. It is often associated with underlying liver diseases such as hepatitis B or C infection, cirrhosis, or alcohol-related liver damage.

Cholangiocarcinoma: This is a malignant tumor that develops from the bile ducts inside or outside the liver. It can occur in different parts of the bile ducts, leading to different subtypes of cholangiocarcinoma.

Hepatoblastoma: This is a rare malignant tumor that primarily affects children. It arises from immature liver cells and is typically diagnosed in early childhood.

Angiosarcoma: This is a rare and aggressive type of liver cancer that develops from the blood vessels of the liver.

Metastatic Liver Tumors: These tumors originate from cancers in other parts of the body and spread (metastasize) to the liver. Common primary cancer sites that can metastasize to the liver include the colon, breast, lung, and pancreas.

Causes of Liver Cancer

Screening for Liver Cancer

Liver cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer, and early detection is critical to improve chances of survival. There are several screening tests that can be used to detect liver cancer, including blood tests, imaging tests, and biopsies.

Blood tests are often the first step in liver cancer screening. They can help doctors check for signs of liver damage or disease. Imaging tests, such as ultrasounds or CT scans, can be used to create pictures of the liver. Biopsies involve taking a small sample of tissue from the liver for analysis.

Screening for liver cancer is important for people who are at high risk for the disease. Risk factors include heavy alcohol use, hepatitis B or C infection, and a family history of liver cancer. If you have any of these risk factors, talk to your doctor about whether liver cancer screening is right for you.

Symptoms of Liver Cancer

There are a number of different symptoms that can be associated with liver cancer, and it is important to be aware of them so that you can seek treatment as soon as possible. Some of the most common symptoms include:
Symptoms of liver cancer
– Fatigue
– Weight loss
– Appetite loss
– Nausea and vomiting
– Abdominal pain or swelling
– Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
– Dark urine
– Clay-colored stools
– Itching
– Easy bruising or bleeding

Diagnosis of Liver cancer

There are several methods to diagnose liver cancer, which include imaging tests, biopsy, and blood tests.
 
Imaging tests give doctors a better look at the liver and any tumors that may be present. These tests can be done with ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or positron emission tomography (PET) scan.
 
A biopsy is the most definitive way to diagnose liver cancer. In this procedure, a small piece of tissue is removed from the liver and examined under a microscope.
Blood tests can also be used to help diagnose liver cancer by looking for elevated levels of certain enzymes or proteins that are released into the bloodstream when the liver is damaged.
Diagnosis & Staging of liver cancer

Treatment Options for Liver Cancer

There are a number of different treatment options available for liver cancer including:
Surgery: Surgical interventions aim to remove the tumor(s) from the liver. The procedures may include:
– Hepatectomy: This involves removing a portion of the liver containing the tumor.
– Liver Transplantation: In cases where the tumor is limited to the liver and a suitable donor is available, a liver transplant may be considered as a treatment option.
Ablation Therapy: This involves destroying the tumor(s) using heat or cold. Common techniques include:
– Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA): It uses high-frequency electrical currents to heat and destroy the tumor.
– Microwave Ablation: This technique utilizes microwaves to generate heat and kill cancer cells.
– Cryoablation: It involves freezing the tumor to destroy the cancer cells.
TACE - Chemotherapy injected in tumour
Radiation Therapy: External beam radiation therapy or internal radiation therapy (brachytherapy) can be employed to target and kill cancer cells. Radiation may be used as a primary treatment or in combination with other therapies.
Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE): In TACE, chemotherapy drugs are delivered directly into the blood vessels feeding the tumor, combined with the injection of embolic agents to block the blood supply to the tumor.
Targeted Drug Therapy: Targeted therapies utilize medications that specifically target certain molecules or pathways involved in the growth and survival of cancer cells, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors or immunotherapies.
Systemic Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy drugs can be administered orally or intravenously to kill cancer cells throughout the body. It may be recommended for advanced stages of liver cancer or when other treatment options are not feasible.
Radiation Therapy: External beam radiation therapy or internal radiation therapy (brachytherapy) can be employed to target and kill cancer cells. Radiation may be used as a primary treatment or in combination with other therapies.
Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE): In TACE, chemotherapy drugs are delivered directly into the blood vessels feeding the tumor, combined with the injection of embolic agents to block the blood supply to the tumor.
Targeted Drug Therapy: Targeted therapies utilize medications that specifically target certain molecules or pathways involved in the growth and survival of cancer cells, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors or immunotherapies.
Systemic Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy drugs can be administered orally or intravenously to kill cancer cells throughout the body. It may be recommended for advanced stages of liver cancer or when other treatment options are not feasible.
TACE - Chemotherapy injected in tumour

Prevention for Liver cancer:

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FAQs

The life expectancy for someone with liver cancer varies depending on factors such as the stage of the cancer, overall health, and treatment options. It is important to consult with a healthcare professional for an accurate prognosis.
Liver cancer can be curable, especially if it is detected at an early stage and appropriate treatments are provided. However, the chances of successful treatment decrease as the cancer progresses.
Liver cancer typically starts when normal cells in the liver undergo genetic changes (mutations) that cause them to grow uncontrollably. The exact causes of these mutations are not always known, but certain risk factors, such as chronic hepatitis B or C infection, heavy alcohol use, and certain liver diseases, can increase the likelihood of developing liver cancer.
Liver cancer can be fast-spreading, particularly in its advanced stages. It can metastasize (spread) to other parts of the body, such as the lungs or bones, making treatment more challenging.
Several factors increase the risk of developing liver cancer. These include chronic hepatitis B or C infection, excessive alcohol consumption, fatty liver disease, cirrhosis, exposure to aflatoxins (a type of toxin produced by mold), certain inherited liver diseases, and diabetes.
Stage 1 liver cancer indicates that the cancer is confined to the liver and has not spread to nearby blood vessels or lymph nodes. At this stage, the tumor is typically smaller in size and may be more easily treated.
The last stage of liver cancer, often referred to as stage 4 or advanced stage, means that the cancer has spread beyond the liver to other organs or distant sites in the body. Treatment options may be limited at this stage.
Dr. Harsh Shah is the best oncologist in Ahmedabad

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Dr. Harsh Shah

Robotic Cancer Surgeon

Dr. Harsh Shah is a highly experienced and skilled liver cancer doctor in Ahmedabad, with over 15+ years of experience in the field. He has a strong reputation for providing comprehensive and compassionate care to his patients, and is committed to ensuring the best possible outcomes for each and every individual he treats. Dr. Shah is well-versed in the latest diagnostic and treatment techniques for liver cancer. Management of liver cancer involves proper diagnosis & early treatment. Diagnosis is performed with Triple phase CT scan & AFP level. The treatment involves surgery, chemotherapy, TACE, TARE or RFA.
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Dr. Harsh J Shah