Liver cancer disease is the fifth most common cancer in the world and the third leading cause of cancer death in the world. As the liver is the second largest organ in our body and the multifunctional liver is extremely important as it processes most of the nutrients from the small intestine and determines how much sugar(glucose), protein and fat enter the bloodstream. It makes blood clotting substances and certain proteins, and produces bile that help digests the body fats.
If your liver is not well taken care of, it can lead to many liver problems, one of them is liver cancer.
Diseases of the Liver
There are over 100 types of liver diseases, caused by a variety of factors. The common types of liver diseases are :
Alcohol induced liver disease. When the liver has too much alcohol to process, normal liver function will be affected and with time, liver cells may be damaged resulting in permanent scarring or liver or liver cirrhosis
Viral hepatitis. Refers to attack othe liver by virueses, the most common forms in the world are hepatitis A, B, C. Many people suffering from alcohol-induced liver damage are infected with hepatitis C virus, which causes a chronic and potentially fatal liver disease. The first two infections can be prevented by vaccines. These infections lead to liver cirrhosis. Because hepaptitis B virus is highly infectious, it can result in life-long infection, cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure and even death.
Fatty liver disease. Linked to obesity
Hemocchromatosis, an inherited condition in which too much iron is absorbed from food and cirrhosis results.
Liver diseases brought about by overexposure to chemicals or drugs
Liver diseases caused by autoimmune disoorders.
Liver Cancer - Risk Factors
Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus is a comon factor liver cancer. People who do not show symptoms after being infected with hepatitis B or hepatitis C are known as carriers.
Liver Cirrhosis
The possible causes of cirrhosis are alcohol abuse especially binge drinking . A hepatitis C patient who has a highly cirrhotic liver is more likely to develop liver cancer and in hepatitis B patient, it can occur any time. When the liver is damaged by inflammation, scar tissue develops and blocks the flow of blood. This causes them to die eventually and be replaced by scar tissue. With continued alcohol use or the presence of viral infections or other toxins, the liver grows back in abnormal pattern, and cirrhosis is this growth of liver cells with scarring. An estimated five per cent of people suffering from cirrhosis develop liver cancer. Each year, nearly 25,000 Americans die from liver cirrhosis.
Diabetes also increase the risk for liver cancer, more so in patient who consume alcohol heavily and who have chronic hepatitis.
Symptoms of Liver Cancer Disease
Signs and symptoms are not usually present until the late stages of liver cancer. sometimes they may show up early providing an an early diagnosis. More than thrre-quarters of liver cells mab be non-functioning befor a person notices any symptoms If you have any of these symptoms listed below, see a doctor or gastroenterologist right away - unexplained weight loss, constant loss of appetite, feeling very full after a small meal, enlarged liver or a mass that can be felt in the upper right side of the abdomen, persistent pain in the abdomen, swelling or fluid built up in the abdomen, itchy skin, yellowing of the skin and eyes, enlarged veins that are visible through the skin, worsening of chronis hepatitis or cirrhosis, gastrointestinal disorders, memory loss, increased heartbeat, fatigue.
Scheduling regular checkups with your doctor will be able to detect early signs of liver cancer
