INFORMATION ON LIVER CANCER

Hepatic tumors are tumors in the liver . Primary liver cancer begins in the cells of the liver itself. Because the liver is made up of several different types of cells, several types of tumors can form in the liver. Some of these are malignant (cancerous) and some are benign (not cancerous).

There are two main kinds of liver cancer. Heptoma and cholangiocarcinoma. Heptoma is cancer of the hepatocytes. Hepatoma is primary liver cancer. Hepatoma usually grows in the liver as a ball-like tumor, invading the normal tissue surrounding it. Cancer of the bile duct cells is called cholangiocarcinoma

CAUSES OF LIVER CANCER

It is believed that cancer begins with the damage to DNA.Chronic Hepatitis can lead to changes in the liver cells associated with the most common type of liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma. The common thread to liver cancer risk factors is chronic irritation, which causes the liver cells to divide more quickly. The risk may be even greater for people who also abuse alcohol. Too much iron in the liver can also lead to liver cancer.

SYMPTOMS OF LIVER CANCER

Pain in the right upper abdominal area
Loss of appetite and weight loss.
Jaundice
Nausea
Weakness or feeling very tired
Blood clotting problems


TREATMENT OF LIVER CANCER

The type of treatment available will depend on the size and type of the cancer.

Teatments of liver cancer includes:
1. Surgery
2. Radiotherapy
3. Chemotherapy
4. Liver Transplantation