Liver cancer, also known as hepatic cancer, is a serious condition that affects thousands of people worldwide every year.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the details of liver cancer, including its causes, symptoms, and treatment options.
We’ll also explore the role of liver blood tests in diagnosing this condition.
Causes of Liver Cancer: Liver cancer can be caused by various factors, including:
- Chronic infection with hepatitis B or hepatitis C viruses
- Long-term alcohol abuse
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
- Cirrhosis, a scarring of the liver tissue
- Exposure to aflatoxins, harmful substances produced by certain types of fungi
- Genetic disorders such as hemochromatosis or Wilson’s disease
- Chronic infection with hepatitis B or hepatitis C viruses: Liver cancer can develop in people who have had long-term infections with hepatitis B or hepatitis C viruses. These viruses can cause inflammation and damage to the liver over time, increasing the risk of developing cancerous cells.
- Long-term alcohol abuse:Consuming alcohol excessively over many years can harm the liver and lead to the development of liver cancer. Alcohol abuse can cause inflammation, scarring, and cirrhosis of the liver, which can ultimately progress to cancer.
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH):NAFLD and NASH are conditions characterized by the accumulation of fat in the liver, often associated with obesity, diabetes, or high cholesterol. Over time, these conditions can cause inflammation and damage to the liver cells, increasing the risk of liver cancer.
- Cirrhosis, a scarring of the liver tissue:Cirrhosis is a condition in which healthy liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue due to long-term damage or inflammation. People with cirrhosis have an increased risk of developing liver cancer because the scar tissue can lead to abnormal cell growth.
- Exposure to aflatoxins, harmful substances produced by certain types of fungi:Aflatoxins are toxic substances produced by molds that can contaminate food, particularly grains, nuts, and legumes. Consuming foods contaminated with aflatoxins over a long period may increase the risk of liver cancer.
- Genetic disorders such as hemochromatosis or Wilson’s disease:Genetic disorders like hemochromatosis, which causes the body to absorb too much iron, or Wilson’s disease, which leads to copper accumulation in the liver, can increase the risk of liver cancer. These conditions disrupt normal liver function and may lead to the development of cancerous cells.
Symptoms of Liver Cancer: The symptoms of liver cancer may include:
- Abdominal pain or discomfort
- Unexplained weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Jaundice, yellowing of the skin and eyes
- Fatigue or weakness
- Swelling in the abdomen
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal pain or discomfort:People with liver cancer may experience pain or discomfort in the abdomen, particularly in the upper right side where the liver is located.
This pain can range from mild to severe and may be persistent or intermittent.
- Unexplained weight loss: Significant and unintentional weight loss can be a symptom of liver cancer.
This weight loss may occur even if the person is not trying to lose weight through diet or exercise.
It can be a result of the body’s increased energy needs due to cancer growth.
- Loss of appetite: Liver cancer can cause a decreased appetite or a lack of interest in eating.
This loss of appetite may contribute to weight loss and can be accompanied by a general feeling of weakness or fatigue.
- Jaundice, yellowing of the skin and eyes: Jaundice is a common symptom of liver cancer and occurs when the liver is unable to process bilirubin properly, causing a buildup of this pigment in the blood.
This buildup can lead to yellowing of the skin and eyes, as well as darkening of the urine and lightening of the stool.
- Fatigue or weakness: Fatigue, or feeling excessively tired or weak, is a frequent symptom of liver cancer.
This fatigue may be persistent and can significantly impact a person’s ability to carry out daily activities.
- Swelling in the abdomen: Liver cancer can cause fluid buildup in the abdomen, leading to swelling or distension.
This swelling, known as ascites, can cause discomfort and a feeling of fullness in the abdomen.
- Nausea and vomiting: Some people with liver cancer may experience nausea or vomiting, particularly if the cancer has progressed or if there are complications such as ascites or jaundice.
These symptoms can contribute to a decreased appetite and further weight loss.
Liver Blood Tests and Diagnosis: Liver blood tests, also known as liver function tests, and it can help in the diagnosis of liver cancer.
These tests measure various substances in the blood that can indicate liver damage or dysfunction. Here’s a breakdown of the key components of liver blood tests and what they indicate:
Liver Condition: Liver Enzymes
Laboratory Test: ALT (Alanine Transaminase)
Healthy Liver: 7–56 U/L
Fatty Liver: Elevated (56–129 U/L)
Over-Fatty Liver: Markedly Elevated (>129 U/L)
Liver Condition: Liver Enzymes
Laboratory Test: AST (Aspartate Transaminase)
Healthy Liver: 10–40 U/L
Fatty Liver: Mildly Elevated (41–80 U/L)
Over-Fatty Liver: Markedly Elevated (>80 U/L)
Liver Condition: Liver Function
Laboratory Test: Bilirubin
Healthy Liver: 0.3–1.2 mg/dL
Fatty Liver: Slightly Elevated (1.2–2 mg/dL)
Over-Fatty Liver: Elevated (>2 mg/dL)
Liver Condition: Liver Function
Laboratory Test: Albumin
Healthy Liver: 3.5–5.0 g/dL
Fatty Liver: Normal to Decreased (3–3.5 g/dL)
Over-Fatty Liver: Decreased (❤ g/dL)
Liver Condition: Liver Function
Laboratory Test: PT/INR
Healthy Liver: 0.9–1.1 / 0.8–1.2
Fatty Liver: Prolonged (>1.1 / >1.2)
Over-Fatty Liver: Further Prolonged
Liver Condition: Liver Fat Content
Laboratory Test: ALT/AST Ratio
Healthy Liver: Less than 1.0
Fatty Liver: Equal to or greater than 1.0
Over-Fatty Liver: Equal to or greater than 2.0
These values represent the range of laboratory test results for liver enzymes, liver function, and liver fat content across different liver conditions.
In a healthy liver, the levels of liver enzymes such as ALT and AST, as well as bilirubin, are within the normal range.
Additionally, liver function tests like albumin and PT/INR are normal. In a fatty liver, there’s typically an elevation in ALT and/or AST levels, indicating liver inflammation or damage.
Bilirubin may also be slightly elevated, but albumin and PT/INR are usually within the normal range.
In an over-fatty liver, there’s a significant elevation in ALT and AST levels, indicating severe liver inflammation or damage.
Bilirubin levels may be markedly elevated, and albumin levels may decrease further. PT/INR may also be significantly prolonged, indicating impaired liver function.
Treatment Options for Liver Cancer: The treatment options for liver cancer depend on several factors, including the stage of the cancer, the patient’s overall health, and the extent of liver damage.
Common treatment modalities include:
- Surgery: Surgical resection or liver transplantation may be performed to remove the cancerous tissue.
- Ablation therapy: Techniques such as radiofrequency ablation or microwave ablation can destroy cancer cells using heat.
- Chemotherapy: Systemic chemotherapy or chemoembolization may be used to target cancer cells.
- Targeted therapy: Drugs that target specific molecular pathways involved in cancer growth may be prescribed.
- Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy drugs help the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells.
- Palliative care: Palliative treatments aim to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life, especially in advanced cases.
Conclusion: Liver cancer is a complex disease with various causes, symptoms, and treatment options.
Early detection through liver blood tests and timely intervention are crucial for improving outcomes and increasing survival rates.
If you experience any symptoms of liver cancer or have risk factors for the disease, it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional promptly. With advances in medical science and ongoing research, there is hope for better management and treatment of liver cancer in the future.
