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What is Liver Cancer?
Liver cancer refers to the abnormal growth of cells in the liver, which can lead to serious health complications if untreated. The most common type of primary liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), often developing in patients with chronic liver disease or cirrhosis. Secondary or metastatic liver cancer occurs when cancer from another part of the body spreads to the liver.
At Central Gastro, we specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of liver cancer, offering advanced, multidisciplinary care to improve outcomes and quality of life.
Types of Liver Cancer
- Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC): The most common form, often associated with chronic liver conditions like hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or cirrhosis.
- Cholangiocarcinoma (Bile Duct Cancer): Cancer arising in the bile ducts.
- Secondary (Metastatic) Liver Cancer: Originating in other organs and spreading to the liver.
Symptoms of Liver Cancer
Liver cancer symptoms often appear in advanced stages and may include:
- Abdominal pain or discomfort, especially in the upper right side.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Loss of appetite.
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes).
- Fatigue or weakness.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Swelling in the abdomen.
- Dark urine or pale stools.
If you experience these symptoms or have risk factors for liver cancer, seek prompt medical evaluation.
Risk Factors for Liver Cancer
Certain conditions increase the risk of developing liver cancer, including:
- Chronic hepatitis B or C infection.
- Cirrhosis from alcohol use, fatty liver disease, or other causes.
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
- Hemochromatosis or other metabolic liver disorders.
- Family history of liver cancer.
- Exposure to aflatoxins (toxins from moldy food).
Diagnosis of Liver Cancer
At Central Gastro, we use state-of-the-art diagnostic tools to accurately identify and stage liver cancer:
- Blood Tests:
- Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) to detect tumor markers.
- Liver function tests to assess liver health.
- Imaging Studies:
- Ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI to visualize tumors and assess their size and location.
- Contrast-enhanced imaging for better tumor detection.
- Liver Biopsy: To confirm the diagnosis and determine the type of cancer.
- Staging Evaluations: PET scans or additional imaging to detect cancer spread.
–Treatment Options for Liver Cancer
At Central Gastro, we offer a range of advanced treatment options tailored to the type and stage of liver cancer:
1. Ablative Therapies
- Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA): Uses heat to destroy cancer cells.
- Microwave Ablation (MWA): Similar to RFA but with greater precision.
2. Locoregional Therapies
- Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE): Delivers chemotherapy directly to the liver tumor while blocking blood flow to starve the tumor.
- Transarterial Radioembolization (TARE): Uses radioactive beads to target tumors.
3. Surgical Treatments
- Liver Resection: Removal of the cancerous part of the liver, suitable for patients with good liver function and localized tumors.
- Liver Transplantation: Replacement of the diseased liver with a healthy donor liver for eligible patients with advanced disease or cirrhosis.
4. Systemic Therapies
- Targeted Therapy: Drugs like sorafenib or lenvatinib that block cancer cell growth.
- Immunotherapy: Drugs like nivolumab or pembrolizumab to enhance the immune response against cancer.
- Chemotherapy: Systemic treatment for advanced or metastatic liver cancer.
5. Palliative Care
For advanced liver cancer, palliative treatments focus on relieving symptoms, improving quality of life, and extending survival.
Monitoring and Follow-Up
Regular monitoring is essential to track treatment effectiveness and detect recurrence:
- Blood tests to monitor AFP levels and liver function.
- Periodic imaging to assess tumor response and liver health.
- Ongoing evaluation for potential complications.
When to Seek Treatment for Liver Cancer
If you have symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, jaundice, or abdominal pain, or if you have risk factors for liver cancer, contact us for evaluation and treatment. Early detection can significantly improve outcomes.
