Liver Cancer

Symptoms and treatment of liver cancer

The liver is an important organ that performs different functions like maintaining fluid balance in the body and handling toxic substances. It also produces bile, which is instrumental in breaking down fat. Occurrences of cancer in the liver can be classified broadly as primary liver cancer (originating in the liver itself) and secondary liver cancer (originates elsewhere in the body and spreads to the liver). Hepatoma and bile duct cancer are the two main types of liver cancer.

Causes and Symptoms

The two main causes of liver cancer are the excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages and the occurrence of infections like hepatitis B and hepatitis C. It’s unfortunate to note that though a number of people know that alcohol can increase the risk of liver cancer, they still don’t cut down on their alcohol consumption. Liver cancer can lead to enlargement of the liver which can result in discomfort and pain in the upper abdomen or in the right shoulder. Other common symptoms of liver cancer include nausea, weakness, weight loss, jaundice and fluid imbalance in the body. These symptoms, however, are just mildly indicative of liver cancer and are in no way conclusive symptoms.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Recognizing the symptoms and seeking professional help are essential for an early diagnosis of liver cancer. A physical examination at your doctor’s office would be done, basically to check for any enlargement of the liver. Other tests include liver ultrasound scan, abdominal CT scan and liver biopsy. Based on the type of liver cancer, the stage of liver cancer and your general health, the doctor might prescribe one or more liver cancer treatment techniques. Surgery to remove the affected part of the liver is one of the treatments for liver cancer. Chemotherapy is another, and other treatments use lasers for removal or destruction of the tumor.

Be sure to consult with your doctor and tell them about every symptom you’ve been experiencing. Even if the treatment doesn’t do much to improve the liver cancer itself, the pain and other symptoms caused by the cancer can be treated, improving the quality of life.