Long-term alcohol consumption is linked with Liver Cancer. Excessive alcohol consumption on a regular/ daily basis can damage the liver, leading to inflammation and scarring.
Liver Cancer is a relatively rare cancer, and most often goes by unnoticed because in its initial stages there are next to no symptoms. The most common type of cancer in the liver originates in the hepatocytes which is the main type of liver cell. This is called hepatocellular carcinoma. Interestingly, the chance of cancer originating in the liver is less common. In most cases cancer in the liver is actually the metastasis of cancer in the breast, lung, stomach or intestines. It is important to understand the basic facts about Liver Cancer in order to be able to catch symptoms earlier on or better still get screened before the cancer spreads.
Q:WHY IS IT DIFFICULT TO IDENTIFY LIVER CANCER IN ITS EARLY STAGES?
Ans:In its initial stages Liver Cancer has no symptoms. Unfortunately, the symptoms of Liver Cancer are often misunderstood as gastric issues and hence the right kind of imaging and treatment is not done until the disease has spread.
Q:WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SYMPTOMS OF LIVER CANCER?
Ans:Some of the symptoms include Nausea, vomiting, weakness, fatigue, unintended weight loss, swelling or pain in the upper abdomen, loss of appetite, jaundice, and white chalky stools. Most of these symptoms are caused by other illnesses as well and hence if liver cancer is the underlying cause, it goes unnoticed for a long time.
Q:IS LIVER CANCER AN AGE-RELATED DISEASE?
Ans:Most often people diagnosed with Liver Cancer are aged 40 years and above. Hepatoblastoma is a rare type of liver cancer that occurs in children less than 4 years old.
Q:IS ALCOHOL ABUSE A DIRECT CAUSE FOR LIVER CANCER?
Ans:Long-term alcohol consumption is linked with Liver Cancer. Excessive alcohol consumption on a regular/ daily basis can damage the liver, leading to inflammation and scarring. This in turn increases one’s risk for liver cancer. Reducing alcohol use, reduces your chance for alcohol induced liver disease.
Q:DOES SMOKING LEAD TO LIVER CANCER?
Ans:Smoking increases the risk of liver cancer though it is not the direct cause for the disease.
Q:WHAT LIVER CONDITIONS ARE LINKED TO LIVER CANCER?
Ans:Those diagnosed with chronic Hepatitis secondary to Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, or liver cirrhosis are at an increased risk for developing a cancer in the future. However, having these conditions does not have to mean that the person will have liver cancer. He/ she needs to just be cautious and take regular screening tests to stay ahead of the disease.
Q:ARE THERE SCREENING TESTS FOR LIVER CANCER?
Ans:A screening test is done even before the person shows symptoms or signs of cancer. If the doctor believes the person is at high risk for a particular type of cancer, he will prescribe a suitable screening test. MRI, CT scan and Ultrasound scan are screening tests for Liver Cancer.
Q:WHO SHOULD DO A SCREENING TEST FOR LIVER CANCER?
Ans:Individuals who are at high risk for liver cancer must be screened at the earliest.
Q:WHO IS AT RISK FOR LIVER CANCER?
Q:WHAT TREATMENT OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR LIVER CANCER?
Ans:Depending on the size and spread of the cancer, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy is used to treat liver cancer. Once the cancerous tissue is surgically removed, radiotherapy is used to eliminate the microscopic disease. However, for those whose cancer has advanced, liver transplant might be the only option.
Q:IS LIVER TRANSPLANT SURGERY A HIGHLY COMPLICATED PROCEDURE?
Ans:Not really. The difficult part is acquiring a healthy match on time. Almost always the number of livers available for transplant is way less in comparison to the number of people in need of a transplant. If the patient gets a right match, the success rate of the surgery is pretty high. Post-surgery the patient will have to remain in the hospital for a few days. Doctors will observe the functioning of the liver. The patient will need to return for regular follow-ups as deemed necessary by the doctor.
CONSULTANT – GASTROENTEROLOGIST
MBBS.,MD.,DM Medical Gastroenterologist