Loading
Liver cancer begins in the cells of the liver, an organ located in the upper right part of your abdomen that plays a vital role in digestion, metabolism, and detoxification.
There are two main types of liver cancer:
Certain factors increase the risk of developing liver cancer, including:
Early-stage liver cancer often doesn’t cause symptoms. However, as the disease progresses, symptoms may include:
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s essential to seek medical attention, especially if you have risk factors.
Liver cancer is often diagnosed using a combination of the following tests:
Blood tests: Tests like alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) , a tumour marker, can help detect liver cancer. However, elevated AFP levels can also be caused by other liver diseases.
The choice of treatment depends on the size, location, and spread of the tumour, as well as the overall health of the patient.
Surgery
Ablation Therapy
Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE)
Radiation Therapy
Chemotherapy
Targeted Therapy
Immunotherapy
Clinical Trials
While liver cancer can’t always be prevented, certain lifestyle changes and medical interventions can help reduce your risk:
LiverFormer Model: A deep learning model called LiverFormer has been developed to enhance the precision of liver cancer treatment planning. It accurately segments liver sub-regions, aiding in targeted therapies and reducing damage to healthy tissue.
DLSOM Framework: Researchers introduced DLSOM , a deep learning framework that analyses somatic mutations to identify five distinct liver cancer subtypes. This approach could lead to more personalized treatment strategies based on genetic profiles in future.
TACE + Immunotherapy: Combining Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE) with immune checkpoint inhibitors like Durvalumab and Bevacizumab has shown promising results. In a recent trial, this combination nearly doubled the median progression-free survival time to 15 months, compared to 8 months with placebo.
Histotripsy: A non-invasive technique called histotripsy uses high-intensity sound waves to destroy liver tumours. It received FDA clearance in October 2023 and has been used on over 300 patients. An eight-year study is underway to assess its long-term efficacy.
Cabozantinib: In Scotland, Cabozantinib has been approved for treating advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), offering a new option for patients who cannot undergo surgery.
Although liver cancer can happen at any age, it is most common in older people. Most people diagnosed are over the age of 60. The highest rates are in 85 to 89 year olds.
Liver cancer is often caused by long-term liver damage from hepatitis B or C infection, excessive alcohol, or obesity-related fatty liver disease. Other risk factors include exposure to aflatoxins (a type of fungus) and certain chemicals, a family history of liver cancer, diabetes, and smoking. In some cases, the cause is unclear, but many cases develop from cirrhosis, a condition where the liver becomes damaged and scarred.
Many liver cancers could be prevented by reducing exposure to known risk factors for this disease.
Liver cancer is not typically considered a highly hereditary cancer, though having a close family member with the disease can increase your risk. This increased risk may stem from shared genetic factors, shared environmental factors, or a combination of both. While acquired gene mutations in liver cells are a common cause of liver cancer, certain inherited conditions, such as hemochromatosis, can increase susceptibility to liver cancer.
Liver cancer begins in the cells of the liver. The most common form of liver cancer begins in cells called hepatocytes. This type of cancer is called hepatocellular carcinoma.
For people at higher risk of liver cancer because they have cirrhosis (from any cause), hereditary hemochromatosis, or chronic hepatitis B infection (even without cirrhosis), some experts recommend screening for liver cancer with alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) blood tests and ultrasound exams every 6 months.
There isn't a single "best" treatment for liver cancer; the most effective approach depends on the stage of the cancer and the patient's overall health, especially the function of their liver. Early-stage cancers are often treated with surgery to remove the tumour or a liver transplant. For early to advanced tumours, tumour ablation (destroying cells with heat) is an option. Other treatments include chemoembolisation (cutting off blood supply with chemotherapy)or radioembolisation (using radiation), systemic drug treatments (chemotherapy / immunotherapy), or radiotherapy.
A liver cancer diet emphasizes nutrient-dense foods to support healing and function, including lean proteins, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Prioritize foods rich in antioxidants and fibre like berries, leafy greens, and whole grains. Protein sources such as fish, poultry, tofu, and beans are crucial for rebuilding tissues. Healthy fats from avocados, nuts, and seeds are also beneficial. Limit foods high in saturated fats, trans fats, and salt.
Survival with liver cancer varies significantly, ranging from several years for early-stage cases that can be cured with surgery or transplant to much shorter periods for advanced stages, with median survival for stage C being 11-13 months and even less for stage D without treatment. Factors such as the stage of the cancer, its size, whether it has spread, the overall health of the liver, and the type and effectiveness of treatment all influence life expectancy.
You can search your Liver Cancer Specialist on www.ioncosolutions.com