Imagine a scenario where you’re perfectly healthy and all of a sudden, you’re diagnosed with liver cancer at an advanced stage. Sounds terrifying, isn’t it? One chilling characteristic of liver cancer is its stealthy growth almost devoid of warning signs until it’s too late and this highlights the immense importance of screening for this particular type of cancer.
What Is Liver Cancer?
Liver cancer, specifically primary liver cancer, refers to a harmful tumor that originates in the liver. It can be classified into various types, with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), also known as hepatoma, being the most prevalent. This particular type of primary liver cancer initiates from the principal cell type found in the liver – the hepatocytes.
Causes
Liver disease happens when there are modifications or changes in the DNA of liver cells. This can bring about cells developing wildly and shaping a growth made out of carcinogenic cells. In specific cases, the reason behind liver malignant growth is recognizable like ongoing hepatitis contaminations. In any case, there are occasions where liver disease occurs in people with no prior conditions and its goal stays obscure.
Symptoms Of Liver Cancer
When these do manifest, they could include unexpected weight loss, a decrease in appetite, pain in the upper abdomen, feelings of nausea accompanied by vomiting, an overall sense of weakness and fatigue, swelling in the abdominal area, a yellowish tint to your skin and eye whites known as jaundice, and stools that have a white chalky appearance.
Risk Factors
- Primary cancer risk can be escalated by several factors.
- These include enduring infections with either the hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV), both heighten the likelihood of developing liver cancer.
- Cirrhosis, a severe and irreversible condition characterized by liver scarring, is another contributing factor.
- Certain hereditary liver diseases, such as hemochromatosis Wilson’s disease, and diabetes can lead to this cancer.
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, characterized by fat accumulation in the liver, is another potential risk factor.