Liver Cancer Treatment India | liver cancer hospital in India

What is liver cancer ?

Liver cancer is the uncontrolled 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 (such as bowel or breast) is known as secondary or metastatic liver cancer. 

What is the difference between liver tumor and liver cancer ?

Any mass or nodule in the liver is known as a liver tumor. Liver tumors can be non-cancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant). The most common type of cancer that originates in the liver is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
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What are the causes of primary liver cancer ?

There is no one cause of primary liver cancer. Several factors increase a person’s likelihood of developing liver cancer. Some risk factors for liver cancer include: Viral hepatitis - Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are an important cause for the development of liver cancer. It is estimated that about 5-10 percent of people with HBV or HCV will develop liver cancer.

• Cirrhosis is a progressive disorder that leads to scarring of the liver. Cirrhosis is the end result of all forms of long standing liver damage. Cirrhosis is caused by Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, alcohol abuse, fatty liver and certain genetic disorders.  5-10 percent of patients with cirrhosis will develop liver cancer. 
• Toxins such as Arsenic - Drinking water (usually well water) contaminated with arsenic also increase risk for developing liver cancer. Obesity may increase the risk of liver cancer. 
• Diabetes can increase the risk of liver cancer, especially in those who drink alcohol heavily or have chronic viral hepatitis B or C infection.

What are the symptoms of liver cancer ?

Liver cancer usually has no obvious symptoms, and people at risk should be followed regularly to detect cancer at an early stage. The following symptoms might be caused by liver cancer:

• Unexplained weight loss
• Anorexia (persistent lack of appetite)
• Early satiety (feeling very full after a small meal)
• Persistent abdominal pain
• Increasing abdominal girth (swelling of the "stomach" area) with or without breathing difficulty
• Sudden jaundice (yellowness of the skin and eyes)
• Sudden deterioration in the overall condition of a patient with cirrhosis
• Liver enlargement or a mass that can be felt in the area of the liver
  
  How is liver cancer treated?
  
  Liver cancer can be treated in different ways. Treatment depends on the stage of your cancer and how healthy your liver is. The different treatments include:
  
  

  • Surgery – Liver cancer can sometimes be treated with surgery to remove the part of the liver with the cancer.
  • Liver transplant – A liver transplant is a type of surgery in which a doctor replaces a diseased liver with a healthy liver.
  • Ablation therapy – Ablation therapy is a procedure that can kill cancer cells in the liver. It does not involve surgery. Doctors can do ablation therapy in different ways. They can kill the cancer cells using heat, a laser, or by injecting a special alcohol or acid directly into the cancer.
  • Blocking the cancer’s blood supply – Doctors can do a procedure called “embolization” to block off the blood vessel that sends blood to the cancer. This keeps the cancer from growing.
  • Radiation therapy – Radiation kills cancer cells.
  • Chemotherapy – Chemotherapy is the term doctors use to describe a group of medicines that kill cancer cells.
  
  What happens after treatment?
  After treatment, you will be checked every so often to see if the cancer comes back. Regular follow up tests usually include exams, blood tests, and imaging tests. You should also watch for the symptoms listed above. Having those symptoms could mean the cancer has come back. Tell your doctor or nurse if you have any symptoms. If you had a liver transplant, you will need to take medicines called “anti-rejection medicines” for the rest of your life. These medicines help keep your body from reacting badly to your new live