Liver Cancer
Liver cancer is the growth and spread of unhealthy cells in the liver. Cancer that starts in the liver is primary liver cancer. Cancer that spreads to the liver from another organ is metastatic liver cancer (also known as secondary cancer to the liver). The commonest primary liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma or HCC.
Things to know about Liver Cancer
Liver cancer is one of the few cancers on the rise in the EU and it is about twice as common in men than in women. Risk factors include liver diseases such as chronic hepatitis B, chronic hepatitis C, and metabolic-associated fatty liver disease, and is usually found in patients with cirrhosis of the liver.- Often there are no symptoms of liver cancer. When they do occur, they may include fatigue, bloating, pain on the right side of the upper abdomen or back or shoulder, nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss, weakness, fever and jaundice.
- Doctors often recommend regular liver cancer screenings for those at increased risk. Liver cancer may be screened for or diagnosed by imaging tests (including ultrasound, CT or MRI scans of the liver, often with contrast or dye added), blood tests (aFP) or a targeted liver biopsy or a new nodule or lesion seen on liver scans.
- Treatment options include a liver transplant, the removal of the tumour from the liver by surgery, cryosurgery (freezing and destroying cancer cells), radio frequency ablation (destroying cancer cells with heat), chemotherapy or radiation, or the use of oral medications for advanced cases of primary liver cancer.
- If you think you are at risk of liver cancer, regularly see a doctor who specializes in liver disease. Take steps to avoid other types of liver disease. Exercise regularly to maintain a healthy BMI, and keep alcohol consumption to within HSE guidelines.