Liver Cancer- Symptoms, Causes and Risk Factors

According to the Mayo Clinic, it is reported that Liver Cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer throughout the globe yet remains rather low statistically in the United States. It is also reported though that there are increasing diagnoses' in the United States, showing that Liver Cancer is on the rise.

Most cancer that occurs in the Liver actually starts from another area or organ of the body such as the Colon, Breasts, Lungs, Cervix and then spreads to the Liver. This type of cancer is described as Metastic Cancer and is named after the original organ it began in. So for example, cancer that starts in the Lungs and spreads to the Liver would be described as Metastic Lung Cancer. Or cancer that starts in the Cervix and spreads to the Liver would be described as Metastic Cervical Cancer.

Similar to Pancreatic Cancer, Liver Cancer has very few noticeable symptoms in the early stages of development and is nicknamed a silent cancer.

Listed below are common symptoms that occur in the later stages of Liver Cancer.

Loss of appetite
Loss of weight without a change in diet or exercise
Upper abdominal pain and tenderness
Vomiting or nausea
Abdominal swelling
An enlarged liver
Jaundice

Primary Liver Cancer is defined in several common types that are determined by the type of Liver cells that become cancerous.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common types of primary Liver Cancer in both children and adults which begins in the hepatocytes.
Cholangiocarcinoma is a type of cancer that begins in the bile ducts within the Liver. This type of cancer is known as Bile Duct Cancer.

Hepatoblastoma is a rare type of Liver Cancer that affects children four years of age and younger. Most of the children who have this type of cancer can be successfully treated.

Angiosarcoma or hemangiosarcoma are two forms of rare cancer that begin in the blood vessels of the Liver and grows very fast.

Some of the common risk factors to developing Liver Cancer stem from many things such as weight, gender and other infections. Men are more at risk to developing Liver Cancer than women and especially if they are obese, it adds to the risk. Certain foods containing fungi that produce aflatoxins also increases the risk of Liver Cancer. Crops such as corn and peanuts can become contaminated with aflatoxins. A long term overindulgence of alcohol or fatty foods also increases a persons risk so it's wise to consume these in moderation. Some people develop Liver Cancer as a result of having chronic conditions of Hepatitis B and C but heredity can also be a source. Those who are born with inherited liver diseases are more likely to develop Liver Cancer. Those with Diabetes are also more likely to Develop Liver Cancer.