Liver Cancer : Types, Stages, Symptoms, Causes and Tests

Liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) is a type of cancer that begins in the cells of the liver. It is one of the most common types of cancer worldwide and is more common in men than women.

There are several factors that can increase the risk of developing liver cancer, including chronic infection with hepatitis B or C viruses, cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, heavy alcohol consumption, and obesity. In some cases, cancer of liver may also be caused by exposure to certain chemicals or toxins.

What are the types of liver cancer?

There are various types of liver cancer, but hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common types of cancer of liver. Other types of liver cancer include:

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma : This type of liver cancer begins in the cells that line the bile ducts within the liver.

Hepatoblastoma : This is a rare type of liver cancer that usually occurs in young children.

Angiosarcoma and hemangiosarcoma : These types of cancer of liver origin in the liver's blood vessels.

Fibrolamellar carcinoma : This is a rare subtype of hepatocellular carcinoma that usually affects younger individuals without underlying liver disease.

Mixed hepatocellular cholangiocarcinoma : This is a rare type of liver cancer that has features of both hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma.

Stages of Liver Cancer

The staging of liver cancer is an important part of determining the appropriate treatment options. The most commonly used staging system for liver cancer is the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system, which takes into account several factors, including the size of the tumor, the number of tumors, whether cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes or other organs, and the patient's overall liver function.

The BCLC staging system divides liver cancer into five stages:

Stage 0 : This stage is used to describe very early liver cancer that is localized to the liver and is very small in size.

Stage A : This stage includes early liver cancer that is still confined to the liver but may be larger than Stage 0 tumors.

Stage B : This stage includes liver cancer that has grown larger and has either spread to nearby lymph nodes or has begun to invade nearby blood vessels.

Stage C : This stage includes liver cancer that has spread to other organs beyond the liver, such as the lungs or bones, or has spread to multiple nearby lymph nodes.

Stage D : This stage includes advanced liver cancer that has spread extensively throughout the body and may be affecting multiple organs.

Each stage of liver cancer requires different treatment approaches, and the prognosis varies depending on the stage of cancer and the patient's overall health. It is important to work closely with a healthcare professional to determine the best course of treatment for each individual case.

Symptoms of Liver Cancer

Liver cancer may not cause symptoms in its early stages, and when symptoms appear, they can be similar to those of other liver diseases.

However, some common symptoms of liver cancer include:

Abdominal pain on the right side
Feel discomfort on the right side
Jaundice
Unexplained loss of weight
Unexplained loss of appetite
Feel like abdomen is full even after consuming very small amounts.
Fatigue or weakness
Nausea and vomiting
Swelling in the abdomen or legs
Enlarged liver or spleen
Itching of the skin
Dark urine or pale stools

These symptoms may also be caused by other medical conditions, so it is important to consult a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis if you are experiencing any of these symptoms. In some cases, liver cancer may be detected during routine medical tests, such as blood tests or imaging scans, even before symptoms appear.

Causes of Liver Cancer

The development of liver cancer can be influenced by a variety of factors. The most common liver cancer causes include:

Chronic infection with hepatitis B or C viruses : Chronic infection with these viruses can cause inflammation and scarring of the liver, which can lead to the development of liver cancer over time.

Cirrhosis : Cirrhosis is a condition in which the liver becomes scarred and damaged over time, often as a result of long-term alcohol consumption, chronic hepatitis B or C infection, or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The scarring can increase the risk of liver cancer.

Alcohol consumption : Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol over a long period can damage the liver and increase the risk of developing liver cancer.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) : NAFLD is a condition in which fat accumulates in the liver, often as a result of obesity, diabetes, or high cholesterol levels. Over time, NAFLD can lead to cirrhosis and increase the risk of liver cancer.

Exposure to certain chemicals and toxins : Exposure to chemicals such as aflatoxins (toxins produced by certain types of fungus) or vinyl chloride (used in the production of plastics) can increase the risk of liver cancer.

Genetic factors : In some cases, liver cancer may be caused by inherited genetic mutations that increase the risk of developing the disease.

Risk Factors of Liver Cancer

Some of the most common risk factors for liver cancer include:

Chronic hepatitis B or C infection : These viral infections can cause inflammation and damage to the liver, increasing the risk of liver cancer.

Cirrhosis : Long-term damage to the liver, often caused by heavy alcohol consumption or chronic hepatitis B or C infection, can lead to cirrhosis, a condition that increases the risk of liver cancer.

Heavy alcohol consumption : Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol over a long period can damage the liver and increase the risk of liver cancer.

Obesity : Being overweight or obese can increase the risk of developing liver cancer, possibly due to the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Diabetes : Individuals with diabetes have an increased risk of developing liver cancer, possibly due to the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Exposure to certain chemicals and toxins : Exposure to certain chemicals such as aflatoxins or vinyl chloride can increase the risk of liver cancer.

Family history of liver cancer : Having a family history of liver cancer or certain inherited genetic mutations can increase the risk of developing the disease.

Age : Liver cancer is more common in older adults, with the risk increasing after the age of 50.

Not all individuals who have these risk factors will necessarily develop liver cancer, and regular screening and early detection can greatly improve the chances of successful treatment and recovery.

Prevention of liver cancer

There are various different ways to reduce the risk of liver cancer, including:

Vaccination : Vaccination against hepatitis B can significantly reduce the risk of developing liver cancer, as chronic infection with this virus is a major risk factor for the disease.

Practice safe sex : Hepatitis B and C can also be spread through sexual contact. Practicing safe sex can reduce the risk of infection.

Limit alcohol consumption : Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol over a long period can damage the liver and increase the risk of liver cancer. Limiting alcohol consumption or abstaining from alcohol altogether can help reduce this risk.

Maintain a healthy weight : Being overweight or obese can increase the risk of developing liver cancer, possibly due to the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. By maintaining the healthy weight through diet and exercise can help reduce this risk.

Control diabetes : Individuals with diabetes have an increased risk of developing liver cancer, possibly due to the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Controlling diabetes through diet, exercise, and medication can help reduce this risk.

Avoid exposure to toxins : Avoiding exposure to chemicals such as aflatoxins and vinyl chloride can help reduce the risk of liver cancer.

Get regular check-ups : Regular check-ups can help detect liver cancer at an early stage when it is more treatable. Individuals who are at high risk for liver cancer, such as those with chronic hepatitis B or C infection, should undergo regular screening.

Diagnosis of Liver Cancer

The diagnosis of liver cancer typically involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests.

Medical History : The doctor will ask about the medical history, including any symptoms you may be experiencing as well as any risk factors you may have for liver cancer, such as hepatitis B or C infection, alcohol consumption, or family history of liver cancer.

Physical Examination : The doctor will examine the abdomen for any signs of liver enlargement or tenderness.

Blood Tests : Blood tests can help detect liver cancer by measuring levels of certain proteins or enzymes, such as alpha-fetoprotein or liver function tests.

Biopsy : A liver Biopsy involves taking a sample of liver tissue for examination under a microscope to confirm the presence of cancer and determine the type and stages of the liver cancer.

Imaging Tests : Imaging tests such as Ultrasound Whole Abdomen, MRI Cholangiogram, whole body pet scan, etc. are used to visualize the liver and detect any abnormal growth or tumor.

Conclusion

Liver cancer is easy to diagnose, particularly at its early stages. Regular screening for individuals at high risk for diseases such as Hepatitis B or C infection can help in detecting liver cancer at its initial stage where it is highly curable. If you experience any of the mentioned above symptoms or you have a family history of liver cancer, then talk to your healthcare provider for the preventive measure to manage the liver cancer.

We at Ganesh Diagnostic offer a liver cancer screening package to help you in the early diagnose of your cancer problem which helps your doctor in deciding the best possible cancer management treatment to slow the growth of cancer.

If you have any queries regarding the cancer screening package, please feel free to contact our healthcare executives for detailed information.