The largest organ in every animal is the liver. When it comes to humans, 30 out of 100,000 people are affected by liver cancer. Liver cancer is of two types. Cancer that begins in the liver is known as primary hepatic cancer. Cancer that has begun elsewhere and has spread itself to the liver is known as metastasis. The most common type of liver cancer that affects humans is Hepatocellular Carcinoma. The other types of liver cancer are very rare.
Causes
The main function of the liver is to filter the blood that passes through it. The liver removes toxins from the bloodstream and also absorbs important nutrients. Liver cancer is usually caused by birth defects, over consumption of alcohol, cirrhosis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and hemochromatosis which is a condition where there is a lot of iron in the liver. Liver cancer is also associated with obese people. It is found that for almost as half of the people affected with liver cancer, the main reason is over consumption of alcohol. Also for smokers, when the bloodstream is infected with toxic chemicals and herbicides, there is a very large chance to develop liver cancer. Also there a special type of cancer-causing substance known as Aflatoxins, which can rarely infect wheat, peanuts, and soybeans. The factors that influence an individual getting liver cancer are:
Gender: Men are more likely to get liver cancer than women.
Obesity: Obesity is the main reason for liver cancer.
Ethnicity: Liver cancer among Asian-Americans are more common than other races.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of liver cancer are:
Stomach Pain, Sudden loss of weight, Eyes become yellow, Pain on the lower part of the Ribcage, liver-enlargement, getting bruised easily, vomiting, fatigue, and nausea.
Diagnosis
Liver Cancer can be detected with the help of a blood test, to detect the presence of a special protein called alpha-fetoprotein which is synthesized by the tumor in the liver. Also, CT and MRI scan can be helpful in detecting liver cancer. Also, there is a method called biopsy where a sample of the tumor is surgically removed and analyzed. With that, it can be found if the tumor is cancerous or noncancerous.
There four stages of liver cancer:
1st Stage: The tumor is only in the liver.
2nd Stage: There are many small tumors in the liver, maybe one of them might have approached a blood vessel.
3rd Stage: There are many big tumors in the liver, maybe one of them might have approached a blood vessel.
4th Stage: Cancer has begun to spread to other parts.
Treatment:
In the case of curable liver cancer, the tumor can be removed from the liver surgically. Or the liver can be transplanted. In the case of incurable cancer, there are options like chemotherapy and radiotherapy which prevents the cancer condition from worsening.
Prevention:
For body piercing and tattoos, well-sterilized needles should be used. Drug addicts who use the same needle more than once, exchanging, sharing needles should be avoided at any cost. And also the main reason for liver cancer is alcohol consumption. The alcohol intake should be limited to moderation to prevent liver cancer.