What is Hepatocellular Cancer?

Hepatocellular cancer refers to primary cancer of the liver. This liver carcinoma differs from metastatic cancer of the liver, which originates in another location of the body and migrates to the liver. Typically, hepatocellular cancer is associated with liver scarring or cirrhosis. Cirrhosis of the liver may be caused by excessive intake of alcohol, hepatitis, or autoimmune diseases. Sometimes, liver cancer can be attributed to a condition called hemochromatosis, which is an excess accumulation of iron in the bloodstream and body.

Generally, symptoms of hepatocellular cancer include pain in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen, easy bleeding or bruising and a swollen abdomen. Often, jaundice is present, which is a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes. The liver cancer patient may frequently feel nauseous and experience loss of appetite. It is common for the patient to also lose weight and have significant fatigue.

Typically, diagnosis of hepatocellular cancer is made via medical testing, such as CT scans of the abdomen and liver biopsy. In addition, liver scans and blood tests to evaluate liver enzymes may be taken to detect liver abnormalities. Generally, the physical examination of the hepatocellular patient may reveal an enlarged liver that is tender upon palpation. Sometimes, ascites, an accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity, may also be present.

Occasionally, in the high-risk patient, the physician may recommend periodic medical testing, such as blood tests and liver ultrasounds, to determine if liver tumors are beginning to develop. In addition, it may be recommended that these patients monitor themselves for increased weight loss and persistent itching. Sometimes, excessive itching may be related to increased bile production and jaundice; both of which are frequently associated with hepatocellular cancer.

Treatment for early stage hepatocellular cancer may include extensive surgery or liver transplantation. Unfortunately, most patients who are diagnosed with liver cancer are diagnosed at a later stage. Chemotherapy treatments and radiation are generally not effective in treating hepatocellular cancer, but they sometimes can shrink large tumors to alleviate pain or to make the tumors small enough so surgery may have a better chance of success.

Unfortunately, the prognosis for liver cancer is often unfavorable because it is usually not diagnosed while still in the early stages. Although the prognosis of many liver cancer patients is often grim, survival rates can vary, and sometimes patients may survive longer than expected. Complications of hepatocellular cancer may include liver failure, gastrointestinal bleeding, and spreading of the cancer to other organs.