Liver Cancer

1 Liver Cancer
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The liver is made up of several different types of cells. Tumours of the liver can therefore originate from any one of these cell types. This leads to different conditions of different severity and differing prognoses. Some tumours are benign whereas some are unfortunately malignant (have the potential for spread and are generally called cancers). Cancerous (malignant) tumours of the liver can be primary (a cancer starting in the liver itself) or secondary or metastatic (a cancer which started in another part of the body and has spread to the liver). Secondary liver tumours are far more common than primary tumours. Some of the main types of cancer affecting and liver and biliary tree and listed below.

Hepatocellular carcinoma

Most primary liver cancers begin in hepatocytes (liver cells). This type of cancer is called hepatocellular carcinoma or malignant hepatoma. Hepatocellular carinomas are usually confined to the liver, though occasionally it may spread to other organs. It is more common in men who have cirrhosis. A rarer sub-type of hepatoma called fibrolamellar hepatoma may occur in younger people and is not related to previous liver disease.

Cholangiocarcinoma or Bile Duct Cancer: This is so called because it starts in the cells lining the bile ducts. Cholangiocarcinoma is more common in women.

Angiosarcomas and Haemangiosarcomas

There are other rare forms of cancer that begin in the blood vessels of the liver called angiosarcomas and haemangiosarcomas . These tumors grow quickly. Often by the time they are found they are too widespread to be removed. Treatment may not help very much. Patients often live less than 6 months after these cancers are found.

Hepatoblastoma

There is a very rare kind of liver cancer that develops in children, usually in those younger than 4 years old. About 70% of children with this disease are treated successfully with surgery and chemotherapy. The survival rate is greater than 90% for early-stage disease.

Secondary Liver Cancer

These cancers are much more frequent than primary cancers. The primary sites (place of origin for the cancer) can be numerous and include stomach, small intestine, large intestine, pancreas, kidney, lungs and many other organs. The prognosis therefore varies greatly depending on the extent of spread and the location of the primary site.

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Liver Diseases

Diseases of the liver can range from mild infection to life-threatening liver failure. For most of these ailments, the first sign of a problem is a condition called jaundice. It is characterized by a yellowish coloring of the skin and the whites of the eye. It develops when liver cells lose their ability to process bilirubin, the yellowish-brown pigment found in bile. The liver can be harmed whenever injury or disease affects the rest of the body. For example, cancer may spread from the stomach or intestines to the liver, and diabetes, if not properly treated, may result in damage to the liver. Some diseases caused by parasites, including amebiasis and schistosomiasis, can damage the liver. Drug use, including long-term use of some prescription medications as well as illegal drugs, can also cause liver damage. Poisons can easily damage liver cells and even cause complete liver failure, especially the poisons found in certain mushrooms.