Hepatocelluler Carcinoma

Hepatocelluler Carcinoma (HCC) is a primary malignancy of the liver, and HCC now is the third leading cause of cancer death in the world.

This type of cancer occurs more often in man than wonen, and it usually get in people with age 50-60 years old, this type of cancer more common  seen in africa and asia than in north or south america and europe.
Over the past 20 years, the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma has more than doubled, from 2.6 to 5.2 per 100,000 population. Among African Americans, the increase has been even greater (ie, from 4.7 to 7.5 per 100,000 population overall and to 13.1 per 100,000 population among males). The mortality rate has similarly increased from 2.8 to 4.7 per 100,000 population over the past 5 years alone.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma is not same with metastatic liver cancer, this cancer start in another organ (breast or colon) than spread to the liver.

The most causes of Hepatocellular Carcinoma is scarring of liver (cirrhosis), and other causes of Hepatocellular Carcinoma is alcoholic cirrhosis, hepatitis B (HBV) infection, hemocromatosis, and hepatitis C (HCV) infection\

Signs and Symptoms: Liver cancer does not normally cause symptoms until it is in an advanced stage. Clinical effects of advanced liver cancers include: 1. A mass in the right upper side. 2. Tender, nodular liver on palpation 3. Severe pain in the epigastrium or upper right side 4. Weight loss, anorexia, weakness, fever 5. Occasional jaundice or ascites (fluid in the abdomen)

Diagose: Liver cancer is difficult to diagnose in the presence of cirrhosis, but several tests can help identify it: The combination of an imaging study (ultrasound, CT, or MRI scans) and an elevated blood level of alpha-fetoprotein will most effectively diagnose liver cancer, electrolyte studies may indicate increased sodium retention, a liver biopsy can make a definitive diagnosis.

Liver Treatment: Treatments for primary liver cancer depend on the extent (stage) of the disease, age, overall health, feelings and personal preferences. Surgery is the most effective treatment for primary liver cancer, but this is not always possible due to the size or position of the tumor. Radiofrequency ablation is an option for people with small, unrespectable hepatocellular tumors and for some types of metastatic liver cancers. During this procedure, the hepatic artery (the artery from which liver cancers derive their blood supply) is blocked, and chemotherapy drugs are injected between the blockage and the liver. Cryoablation may be an option for people with inoperable primary and metastasis liver cancers. Removing the whole liver and replacing it with a liver from another person is another possible form of treatment for primary liver cancer.

Even when treatments fail to provide much improvement in the liver cancer itself, pain and other signs and symptoms caused by liver cancer can be aggressively treated to improve quality of life. In general, the treatments available for children are the same as for adults, and the best approach depends on the stage and type of cancer as well as the child’s age and overall health.