We Know: All About Liver Cancer What is liver cancer? Liver cancer occurs when the cells in the liver form a massive tissue or tumor. What are the risk factors of liver cancer? Studies have shown the following risk factors: Chronic liver infection (hepatitis) can infect the liver. Cirrhosis. About 5 percent of people with cirrhosis develop liver cancer. Aflatoxin -- Liver cancer can be caused by aflatoxin, a harmful substance made by certain types of mold. Gender-- Men are twice as likely as women to get liver cancer. Family history -- People who have family members with liver cancer may be more likely to get the disease. Age -- In the US, liver cancer occurs more often in people over age 60 than in younger people. What are the different types of liver cancer? Most primary liver cancers begin in hepatocytes (liver cells). This type of cancer is called hepatocellular carcinoma or malignant hepatoma. Secondary liver cancer is cancer that spreads to the liver from another part of the body, and is different from primary liver cancer. How is liver cancer diagnosed? Doctors usually perform a physical exam, feeling for any changes in organs, look for signs of jaundice, order blood tests, a CTscan, ultrasound, angiogram, and a biopsy. How liver cancer treated? Liver cancer can be very difficult to control. Many patients with this type of cancer go into clinical trials in the hope of a cure. If liver cancer has not spread and can be removed, surgery is a good option. In this case, the tumor only or the tumor and a portion of the liver may be removed. Some patients may be eligible for liver transplant. Other treatments to control liver cancer include: Radiofrequency ablation or killing the cancer cells with heat. Cryosurgery or killing the cells by freezing them Hepatic arterial infusion -Direct insertion of anti cancer drug into the blood vessels that feed the tumor. Chemoembolization or blocking the artery that feeds the tumor Chemotherapy and radiation to slow the progress of the cancer Pain control
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