About liver cancer
Liver cancer can be primary or secondary. Cancers which begin in the liver are called primary liver cancer. Cancers which arise in the other parts of the body and spread to liver are called secondary liver cancer or metastasis. Primary liver cancer includes
- Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)
- Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma (arising from the bile duct inside the liver )
Primary liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) tends to occur in livers damaged byalcohol abuse, or chronic infection with diseases such as hepatitis B and C or rare birth defects. More than half of all people diagnosed with primary liver cancer have cirrhosis
The male : female ratio for HCC in India is 4:1. The age of presentation varies from 40 to 70 years.
Secondary liver cancer or metastasis liver is the most common cancerous condition of liver. It depends on the location of the original cancer. Primary cancers that are most likely to spread to the liver are cancers of the:
- Colon
- Rectum
- Stomach
- Esophagus/ Stomach Pancreas
Even if the primary cancer is removed, liver metastasis can still occur years later. If you’ve had cancer, it’s important to learn the signs of liver metastasis and get regular checkups.
Liver cancer signs and symptoms may include:
- Jaundice - yellowish discolouration of skin and eyes
- Abdominal pain - often on the right upper abdomen
- Loss of weight and appetite
- Hepatomegaly - enlarged liver, the abdomen may appear swollen
- Fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Back pain
- General itching
- Fever