The liver is one of the most vital organs in the body and performs crucial functions such as detoxification, metabolism, and production of essential proteins. Like other organs, it is susceptible to cancer, which can have serious consequences if not detected and treated early.
Liver cancer can cause problems that affect other parts of the body and affect the liver’s functionality. Early diagnosis and a thorough understanding of the disease are essential for improving outcomes and enhancing the quality of life for those affected. This article offers a detailed overview of liver cancer, covering its symptoms, causes, and available treatment options.
What is Liver Cancer?
Liver cancer manifests in the cells of the liver. There are several kinds, but the most common is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which arises from hepatocytes, the primary liver cells. Other less common types include intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) and angiosarcoma (cancer of the liver’s blood vessels). There are two types of liver cancer:
- Primary: Starts in the liver
- Secondary: Spreads from another organ to the liver
Symptoms of Liver Cancer
Early detection of liver cancer is challenging because its symptoms are frequently undetectable. As the disease progresses, individuals may experience:
Abdominal Pain
One of the key symptoms of liver cancer is discomfort or pain in the upper right abdomen. This pain often occurs due to the liver’s enlargement or the tumour pressing against surrounding organs and tissues. The pain can be consistent or intermittent, and its severity may increase as the disease progresses. Individuals should seek medical help if the experience persists or abdominal discomfort worsens.
Unintended Weight Loss
Rapid weight loss is a common early indicator of liver cancer. It happens when the cancer changes appetite or metabolism. Sometimes, weight loss is accompanied by cachexia or muscle weakness. Sudden weight loss, especially when combined with other symptoms, calls for prompt medical attention.
Fatigue
Another common symptom of liver cancer is continuous fatigue that does not go away with rest or sleep. It often results from the liver’s inability to function accurately, leading to the accumulation of toxins in the body. Fatigue can substantially impact daily activities and quality of life and should not be ignored if it persists.
Jaundice
Yellowing of the skin and eyes, known as jaundice, occurs due to elevated levels of bilirubin in the blood. It is often a result of liver dysfunction or bile duct obstruction caused by the tumour. Along with jaundice, individuals may experience dark urine and pale stools. Jaundice is a severe symptom requiring immediate medical attention.
Swelling in the Abdomen
Swelling in the abdomen, or ascites, occurs when fluid accumulates in the peritoneal cavity. It can make the stomach appear enlarged and cause discomfort or difficulty breathing. Ascites often indicate advanced liver disease and can worsen over time, requiring medical intervention to drain the fluid.
Loss of Appetite
A sudden drop in appetite or feeling full after consuming small amounts of food is another common symptom. It may result from the liver’s inability to process nutrients effectively or the tumour pressing on nearby organs. A prolonged lack of appetite can contribute to malnutrition and weight loss.
Nausea and Vomiting
Chronic nausea and frequent instances of vomiting are often associated with liver cancer. These symptoms may result from the tumour interfering with digestive functions or from the liver’s compromised detoxification capabilities. A healthcare professional should evaluate chronic nausea because it can cause dehydration.
Dark Urine or Pale Stool
Changes in urine and stool colour are indicative of bile duct obstruction. Dark urine results from excess bilirubin, while pale stools occur due to reduced bile excretion into the digestive system. These symptoms often accompany jaundice and signal a need for immediate medical evaluation.
Fever
Fever can be a sign of liver cancer, often linked to an immune response or tumour-related infections. Another reason for fevers is a weakened liver’s capacity to filter toxins. Persistent fevers without a known cause should prompt a medical check-up to rule out severe conditions.
Causes of Liver Cancer
The precise cause of liver cancer is not always identifiable, but several risk factors significantly increase its likelihood:
Chronic Viral Hepatitis
Chronic infections with hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) are the leading causes of liver cancer globally. These viruses cause long-term inflammation and damage to the liver, often leading to cirrhosis. They are particularly prevalent in regions with limited access to healthcare and vaccination programs, underscoring the importance of preventive strategies like vaccination and antiviral treatments.
Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is scarring of liver tissue due to chronic liver damage. It is commonly caused by excessive alcohol consumption, fatty liver disease, or chronic hepatitis infections. The scarring reduces liver function over time, creating an environment conducive to cancer development. Advanced cirrhosis, in particular, significantly heightens the risk of liver cancer.
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)
This condition, often linked to obesity and diabetes, can progress to cirrhosis and liver cancer. As global obesity rates continue to rise, NAFLD has become a growing public health concern. Early lifestyle interventions, such as weight management and a healthy diet, are critical in reducing the risk of NAFLD-associated liver cancer.
Aflatoxin Exposure
Aflatoxins are toxic compounds produced by moulds on improperly stored crops. Long-term exposure increases the risk of liver cancer. These toxins are more common in warm, humid climates where food storage conditions are suboptimal. Awareness and adoption of better food storage practices can significantly lower aflatoxin exposure and its associated risks.
Genetic Disorders
Inherited conditions like hemochromatosis (excess iron storage) or Wilson’s disease (copper accumulation) can lead to liver damage and cancer. Early diagnosis and management of these genetic disorders are essential in preventing liver complications, including cancer. Regular screenings for at-risk individuals can help detect issues before they become severe.
Lifestyle Factors
Smoking, heavy alcohol use, and an unhealthy diet contribute to liver cancer risk. Alcohol-related liver damage, combined with smoking, significantly raises the likelihood of liver cancer. Adopting a balanced diet, reducing alcohol intake, and quitting smoking can diminish these risks and promote overall liver health.
Age and Gender
Men are at a higher risk than women, and the chances increase with age. The reasons for this gender gap may be related to lifestyle factors like higher rates of alcohol consumption and smoking in men. Age-related liver changes and prolonged exposure to risk factors further elevate the risk in older individuals.
Treatment Options
The treatment of liver cancer hinges upon the cancer stage, the patient’s overall health, and liver function. Standard treatment options include:
Surgery
Surgery is often the first-line treatment for liver cancer, especially for patients with good liver function and localised tumours. A partial hepatectomy involves removing the cancerous portion of the liver while preserving the healthy parts. This option is suitable for patients whose liver is otherwise healthy and free of cirrhosis. On the other hand, liver transplantation is a more extensive procedure that replaces the diseased liver with a healthy donor liver. It is typically recommended for advanced cases or when the cancer is widespread but confined to the liver.
Ablation Therapies
Patients who are not applicants for surgery are frequently treated with ablation therapies, which are minimally invasive procedures that target and directly destroy cancer cells. To eliminate tumours, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) uses heat produced by high-frequency electrical currents. Microwave ablation (MWA), which uses microwave energy for the same reason, works especially well on slightly larger tumours. Another ablation technique is cryoablation, which freezes cancer cells and kills them.
Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapy involves using drugs intended to specifically inhibit cancer cell growth by interfering with molecular pathways essential to their survival. Medications like sorafenib and lenvatinib are commonly prescribed for advanced liver cancer. These drugs block tumour growth by targeting blood vessels that supply the tumour and disrupting cellular signals that promote proliferation. Targeted therapy is particularly beneficial for patients who are unable to have surgery or whose cancer has spread outside the liver.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a potentially effective treatment that strengthens the body’s defences against cancer. The way that medications such as immune checkpoint inhibitors function is by releasing immune cells that cancer frequently suppresses. These drugs have demonstrated efficacy in treating advanced liver cancer and raising survival rates. Examples of these include nivolumab and pembrolizumab. Immunotherapy is especially valuable for patients who do not respond well to other treatments, offering a new avenue for hope.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy entails using drugs to kill rapidly dividing cancer cells. Although its efficacy for liver cancer is lower than that of other cancers, it can still be used in cases where the disease has progressed or spread. The effectiveness of chemotherapy is often increased by administering it in combination with other treatments, such as radiation or targeted therapy. Even though side effects can be difficult, patients now find chemotherapy more bearable due to improvements in supportive care.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy utilises high-energy beams to kill cancer cells and shrink tumours. In liver cancer, external beam radiation is used to target specific tumours, while internal radiotherapy involves the placement of radioactive beads directly into the liver’s blood vessels. These methods are beneficial for inoperable cancers or as an alternative treatment to alleviate symptoms like pain and swelling. Precision techniques minimise damage to healthy liver tissue, improving treatment outcomes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, liver cancer is a severe and life-threatening disease that demands prompt attention and care. Better results and earlier detection can result from knowledge of its symptoms, risk factors, and preventative strategies. Treatment developments like immunotherapy and targeted therapies give patients hope for higher survival rates. In order to prevent liver cancer, it is essential to up-keep a healthy lifestyle, manage underlying conditions, and get regular checkups with the doctor.
