What is Liver Cancer?

Cancer that starts in the cells of your liver is known as liver cancer. Our liver is a large organ that sits in the upper right part of your abdomen, beneath your diaphragm and above your stomach.

The liver can develop a variety of cancers. The spread of cancer to the liver is more common than cancer that starts in the liver cells. Metastatic cancer, rather than liver cancer, is cancer that starts in another part of the body, such as the colon, lung, or breast, and then spreads to the liver. Metastatic colon cancer, for example, is a kind of cancer that starts in the colon and spreads to the liver.

Medica’s oncology department excels in providing world-class cancer treatment driven by their collective clinical excellence of over 30+ years. With a multidisciplinary approach to treating all types and forms of cancer, our oncologists and onco-surgeons are supported by the latest cancer treatment technologies along with a team of highly-skilled reconstructive surgeons who deliver extensive treatment to all of our patients, adults and children alike.

In some cases, such as with chronic hepatitis infections, the cause of liver cancer is known. However, liver cancer can occur in persons who have no underlying illnesses, and the reason remains unknown.

Other Risk Factors

The doctor utilizes a technique known as staging to provide a number to the cancer diagnosis, which ranges from I to IV. The higher the number, the greater the danger of cancer spreading. Cancers are also defined by their treatment options, most notably whether or not they can be surgically removed.

The stages of liver cancer are as follows:

Stage I: Only one tumor has been discovered in the liver.

Stage II: There is only one tumor, but it has progressed to the blood vessels, or there are multiple tumors, but they are all smaller than 3 cm.

Stage III: There are many tumors in Stage III liver cancer, at least one of which is larger than 5 cm, or the cancer has spread beyond the liver to large blood arteries, another organ, or lymph nodes.

Stage IV: Other parts of the body, such as the lungs and bones, as well as lymph nodes, have been affected by the malignancy.

The following tests and methods are used to diagnose liver cancer:

Blood Test: Abnormalities in liver function may be discovered through blood testing.

Imaging Test: An ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI may be recommended by your doctor.

Biopsy: A sample of liver tissue is removed for testing. In order to make a definitive diagnosis of liver cancer, it may be required to remove a portion of liver tissue for laboratory testing. Your doctor takes a tissue sample from your liver by inserting a thin needle through your skin and into your liver.

Doctors analyze the tissue under a microscope in the lab to check for cancer cells. Bleeding, bruising, and infection are all possible side effects of a liver biopsy.

The degree (stage) of primary liver cancer, as well as your age, overall health, and personal preferences, all influence treatment options.

Surgery: As per the stage of your ailment, the doctor will suggest to either remove your tumor or advise for a liver transplant if the damage to your liver has been extensive.

Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is the use of chemicals to kill or prevent cancer cells from replicating. Chemotherapy can have a systemic effect (pills or injections that travel through the entire body).

Targeted Therapy: Drugs that target cancer genes or tissues are referred to as targeted therapy. Chemotherapy is not the same as targeted therapy.

Immunotherapy: Drugs that guide the body’s immune system to attack cancer cells are known as immunotherapy. It, too, is not the same as chemotherapy.

Ablation Therapy: This treatment is a technique for destroying malignancies in the liver without removing them. Cryoablation, microwave ablation, radiofrequency ablation, and ethanol ablation are just a few options.