What is Liver Cancer?
Cancer that begins in the liver is known as liver cancer. Often, it is called primary liver cancer. You may have also heard the term secondary liver cancer, this is when cancer has initially developed in another area of the body and then spread to the liver. In the Uk, around 5,700 people annually are diagnosed with having primary liver cancer. There are different types of liver cancer, depending on where in the liver the cancer develops. Among liver cancers, hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) are the most common. It is sometimes called hepatoma. Other types of liver cancer include:
- a rare type of HCC known as fibrolamellar cancer
- cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer)
- an extremely rare cancer which starts in the blood vessels of the liver known as angiosarcoma or haemangiosarcoma
- a rare type f childhood liver cancer known as hepatoblastoma
Symptoms of Liver Cancer may include:
Primary liver cancer may not always display symptoms, however, the most common symptoms may include:
- unexplained weight loss
- yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)
- unexplained itching
- feeling sick
- swollen tummy (abdomen)
- loss of appetite or feeling full after eating small amounts
- pain in your abdomen
- a lump in the right side of your abdomen
- pain in your right shoulder
These symptoms listed above are usually caused by other medical conditions. But if you have any of them it is important to see your doctor.
Treatment Options
Treatment options for Liver Cancer will be discussed with you, however, treatment options will vary depending on:
- where in the liver your cancer is
- the size and stage of the cancer (e.g whether or not your cancer has spread)
- the type of liver cancer you have
- how well your liver is working
- your general health and level of fitness