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Liver cancer

What is it?

 

Liver cancer is cancer of the liver, the largest organ in the human body. The liver is about the size of an american football and sits below the ribs. It's an organ that has many important roles involving digestion and absorbing nutrients, getting rid of waste and blood clotting factors. Cancer can either start in the liver, called primary liver cancer, or more commonly it travels to the liver from somewhere else, called metastatic liver cancer.

 

What are the types?

 

Of the primary liver cancers the subtype called hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common. HCC can develop as a single tumor or develop as many small tumors across the liver. People with liver damage are likely to develop multiple small tumors across the liver.

 

 

Other subtypes include intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and hepatoblastoma which are much more rare.

 

If the cancer begins in other parts of the body and travels to the liver, it is most likley to begin in the colon, lung or breast cancer. There are other tumors that can develop in the liver as well which are non cancerous (benign) and can be removed surgically.

 

 

How can they test for it?

 

To diagnose liver cancer the doctor will probably first do a physical exam to feel around the liver and nearby organs for any masses or fluid, as well as assess your eyes and skin for any yellowing (jaundice).

 

Blood tests will also be conducted to check alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels that can be a sign of liver cancer.

 

Imaging will also be done with a CT, ultrasound, or an X-ray, as well as a tissue sample (biopsy) of the liver.

 

 

I have it. Now what?

 

Treatment for liver cancer can include surgery, localized treatment, radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted drug therapy.

 

Surgery to treat liver cancer can either be a removal of the tumor depending on where the tumor is located, or in some cases, a liver transplant will be considered to repaced the cancerous liver with a healthy liver.

 

Localized treatment for liver cancer is performed in the location of the cancer which can be done in 5 main ways:

  • heating the cancer cells
  • freezing the cancer cells
  • injecting alcohol into the mass/tumor
  • injecting chemotherapy drugs into the liver
  • placing tiny beads filled with radiation in the liver

 

Radiation, targeted drug therapy, immunotherapy and chemotherapy are usually used only if the cancer is advanced, however it is good to be aware that there are many options for complete treatment for people who have cancer that has spread beyond the liver. If this has happened to you, be sure to ask your doctor about all of the available treatment options because cancer treatment is constantly evolving.

 

 

 

What is it?

 

Liver cancer is cancer of the liver, the largest organ in the human body. The liver is about the size of an american football and sits below the ribs. It's an organ that has many important roles involving digestion and absorbing nutrients, getting rid of waste and blood clotting factors. Cancer can either start in the liver, called primary liver cancer, or more commonly it travels to the liver from somewhere else, called metastatic liver cancer.

 

What are the types?

 

Of the primary liver cancers the subtype called hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common. HCC can develop as a single tumor or develop as many small tumors across the liver. People with liver damage are likely to develop multiple small tumors across the liver.

 

Graphic representation of Liver cancer

 

Other subtypes include intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and hepatoblastoma which are much more rare.

 

If the cancer begins in other parts of the body and travels to the liver, it is most likley to begin in the colon, lung or breast cancer. There are other tumors that can develop in the liver as well which are non cancerous (benign) and can be removed surgically.

 

 

How can they test for it?

 

To diagnose liver cancer the doctor will probably first do a physical exam to feel around the liver and nearby organs for any masses or fluid, as well as assess your eyes and skin for any yellowing (jaundice).

 

Blood tests will also be conducted to check alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels that can be a sign of liver cancer.

 

Imaging will also be done with a CT, ultrasound, or an X-ray, as well as a tissue sample (biopsy) of the liver.

 

 

I have it. Now what?

 

Treatment for liver cancer can include surgery, localized treatment, radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted drug therapy.

 

Surgery to treat liver cancer can either be a removal of the tumor depending on where the tumor is located, or in some cases, a liver transplant will be considered to repaced the cancerous liver with a healthy liver.

 

Localized treatment for liver cancer is performed in the location of the cancer which can be done in 5 main ways:

  • heating the cancer cells
  • freezing the cancer cells
  • injecting alcohol into the mass/tumor
  • injecting chemotherapy drugs into the liver
  • placing tiny beads filled with radiation in the liver

 

Radiation, targeted drug therapy, immunotherapy and chemotherapy are usually used only if the cancer is advanced, however it is good to be aware that there are many options for complete treatment for people who have cancer that has spread beyond the liver. If this has happened to you, be sure to ask your doctor about all of the available treatment options because cancer treatment is constantly evolving.

 

 

 

Symptom list:

Liver cancer

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Financial support

Not all of us are able to afford the treatment we need. Search your insurance coverage, or check out what charities may be able to offer you for your condition.

p.s. Just because you have insurance, that doesn't mean that charities or other organizations are not able to support you too.

Emotional support

Whether it's a free counseling session or to find someone with a similar diagnosis, these Germie approved charities might be able to help. Click to explore their offerings!

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