Liver Cancer

Liver cancer is often linked to cirrhosis of the liver but may occur without it. The liver removes the toxins from the body. Cirrhosis is a scarring of the liver that is strongly associated with alcohol abuse. National Cancer Institute's NCI’s SEER Cancer Statistics Review estimates 24,120 men and women (17,430 men and 6,690 women) will receive a liver cancer diagnosis in 2010 and 18,910 will die of cancer of the liver in the year. http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/livibd.html

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) are the most common causes of liver cancer. In the U.S., Hep C is the most common risk factor while in other countries Hep B is higher. Obesity and diabetes are other causes as well as the disease hemachromatosis (to much iron in the liver). http://www.cancer.org/cancer/livercancer/overviewguide/liver-cancer-overview-what-causes

The symptoms of liver cancer often do not develop until the later stages of the cancer. Common symptoms include jaundice, fatigue, nausea, weight loss and pain in the upper right abdomen or right shoulder.http://www.cancer.org/cancer/livercancer/overviewguide/liver-cancer-overview-diagnosed

Liver cancer is treated based on the condition of the liver, the health of the individual and whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. It can be treated with radiation therapy, chemotherapy, surgery and a liver transplant.

Liver cancer is most prevalent in men of Asian/ Pacific Islander descent with a rate of 21.7 per 100,000 men in this group. The median age for diagnosis is 64. Based on studies during the period between 1999 and 2006, the 5 year survival rate for liver cancer was 13.8%.National Cancer Institute: Liver Cancer

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you think you have liver cancer, please make sure to consult your doctor.