| General Illness Information |
Common Name: |
Liver
Cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) |
|
Medical Term:
|
None
Specified |
| Description: |
A malignant tumor arising from liver cells.
Although much less common than metastatic liver cancer in most
areas of the world, hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common
internal malignancy and an important cause of death in certain
areas of Africa and Southeast Asia. This is mainly because of the
high incidence of Hepatitis B in these areas.
In North America, hepatocellular carcinoma is
mainly associated with cirrhosis of the liver. |
| Causes: |
Unknown. As noted above ,there is a high
association with Hepatitis B and C, and cirrhosis of liver.
|
| Prevention: |
Hepatitis B vaccination and prevention education
for high-risk individuals. Minimize alcohol use. |
| Signs
& Symptoms |
|
|
| Risk Factors |
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| Diagnosis & Treatment |
A variety of diagnostic tests may be used to
confirm diagnosis including blood studies, liver biopsy,
X-ray, ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, arteriography, angiography,
and radioactive studies.
|
| General
Measures: |
 |
Patient care should involve comprehensive
supportive care. |
|
Anticancer drugs and radiation therapy are often
used. They may afford some relief, but there is no cure. |
|
Surgery to remove the tumor may be recommended,
depending on type and spread of the disease. |
|
Liver transplant may be considered for some
patients. |
|
| Medications: |
|
Palliative care includes
analgesics for pain. |
|
Chemotherapy may slow the pace
of this disease, but does not appear to affect life span. |
|
|
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| Diet: |
|
No restrictions. |
|
| Possible
Complications : |
 |
Metastases, Liver failure,
Cachexia |
|
| Prognosis |
| The prognosis for
hepatocellular carcinoma is usually grim, and treatment is
generally unsatisfactory. |
|
| Other |
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