Liver Cancer 101

What causes liver cancer

Many factors. Liver filters blood from all parts of the body and hence cancer cells from anywhere can reach liver and start growing. Often cancers related to the gastro-intestinal tract lead to liver cancers. It is also surmised that the ability of liver to regenerate is in some ways linked to liver cancers.

Classification of Liver Cancers

Liver can have many types of tumors. Only some of these tumors are cancerous in nature. Hence, the most basic classification of the tumors is whether liver tumors are benign or malignant. Benign tumors are relatively harmless while the malignant tumors are capable of spreading beyond the liver and are serious.

Some facts about benign liver tumors

Hemangioma is the most common benign tumor found in liver. It begins in the fetal stages and is nothing but an abnormal growth of blood vessels. It is estimated that more than 10 % of the normal population has this situation any way. There are no symptoms, no treatments unless one of the tumors may enlarge and bleed. Surgical removal is performed in such cases.

Similarly, Hepatic Adenomas and Focal Nodular Hyperplasia are benign tumors of liver cells.  Most do not have symptoms but FNH can be difficult to differentiate from liver cancers. Adenomas occur more in women and seem to be triggerd in some cases by pregnancy or birth control pills.

Some facts about Malignant liver tumors

HCC or the hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common type and can have different growth patterns. It is particularly dangerous as it may spread to other parts of the body in later stages. Liver cancer has also been observed to develop in more than one site and then multiple timorous growths. This pattern is common in people with liver cirrhosis.

Liver cancer can also originate in bile ducts and is called cholangiocarcinoma. Often liver cancers originate elsewhere and then metastacize in liver. They are considered wither as secondary liver cancers or cancer metastases. In fact the secondary liver cancers have 30 % higher prevalence than the primary liver cancers.

Risk Factors Associated With Liver Cancer

Liver cancer is rare in absence of chronic liver diseases. The exact reasons behind liver cancer are not known but it is commonly observed that men are more prone to it than women for reasons still unknown. Cirrhosis, certain types of inherited liver diseases and viral infections of the liver can also lead to greater chances of liver cancer. Alcohol, obesity, steroids and tobacco use are also among causes that increase the probability of liver cancers.

In this two – part article on Liver cancer, Core Cancer Foundation will bring you more information in the next article. Till then, stay safe !