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Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most prevalent type of primary liver cancer. It originates in the hepatocytes, the liver’s main cell type. HCC is aggressive and often diagnosed at an advanced stage, making treatment more challenging.

 

Risk Factors

Several factors can elevate your risk of developing HCC. The most common ones include:

  • Chronic Liver Disease: Cirrhosis, a condition marked by liver scarring, is the primary risk factor for HCC. Various conditions can lead to cirrhosis, including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, alcohol abuse, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
  • Hepatitis B and C Infection: Chronic infections with these viruses can damage the liver, eventually progressing to cirrhosis and HCC.
  • Alcohol Abuse: Excessive alcohol consumption can harm the liver, increasing the risk of cirrhosis and HCC.
  • Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): NAFLD involves fat accumulation in the liver. While most people with NAFLD experience no serious complications, some may develop cirrhosis, raising the risk of HCC.
  • Other Risk Factors: Additional risk factors include obesity, diabetes, smoking, and a family history of HCC.

Symptoms

Early-stage HCC often presents no symptoms. However, as the tumor grows, you might experience:

  • Fatigue
  • Loss of appetite and weight
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Abdominal pain and swelling (ascites)
  • Skin and eye yellowing (jaundice)
  • Dark-colored urine
  • Easy bruising or bleeding
  • Encephalopathy (confusion and impaired mental function)

Diagnosis

If symptoms suggest HCC, your doctor will order various tests for diagnosis, including:

  • Blood Tests: These assess liver function and detect potential HCC markers.
  • Imaging Tests: Ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI scan generate images of the liver to identify tumors.
  • Liver Biopsy: In some cases, a small liver tissue sample is extracted and examined under a microscope for confirmation.

 

Treatment

HCC treatment depends on the tumor’s size, location, and stage. Treatment options include:

  • Surgery: The most common treatment for early-stage HCC aims to remove the entire tumor, if feasible.
  • Liver Transplant: For some HCC patients, a liver transplant, where the diseased liver is replaced with a healthy donor liver, may be an option.
  • Ablation: This procedure utilizes heat, cold, or alcohol to destroy cancer cells.
  • Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE): TACE involves injecting chemotherapy drugs and embolization material into the arteries supplying blood to the tumor. The embolization material blocks blood flow, aiding in tumor shrinkage.
  • Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA): A type of ablation that uses heat to destroy cancer cells (Click here to read more on Radio frequency ablation)
  • Targeted Therapy: These drugs target specific molecules involved in cancer cell growth and survival.
  • Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy medications help the body’s immune system fight cancer cells.

 

Prevention

While there’s no guaranteed way to prevent HCC, you can reduce your risk by:

  • Hepatitis B Vaccination: The hepatitis B vaccine helps protect against hepatitis B infection, a major HCC risk factor.
  • Hepatitis C Screening: If you’re at risk for hepatitis C infection, get tested and treated if necessary.
  • Limiting Alcohol Consumption: Heavy alcohol consumption can damage the liver and increase the risk of HCC.
  • Maintaining a Healthy Weight: Losing weight if you’re overweight or obese can improve your liver health and reduce your risk of HCC.
  • Eating a Healthy Diet: A healthy diet low in saturated fat and sugar, but rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, can improve your liver health and reduce your risk of HCC.