The liver is the largest organ located in the abdomen and is a part of the digestive system. Among its many functions, the liver makes enzymes and bile that are essential for digestion. The liver also cleans the blood from toxins, metabolizing alcohol, drugs and chemicals. Liver cancer begins in the cells that line the liver, which are called hepatocytes. These cells can become damaged for a number of different reasons. When the cancer cells begin in duct cells from the gallbladder ducts that cross the liver, the cancer is called cholangiocarcinoma. Other rare types of cancer growing in the liver are lymphomas, sarcomas and neuroendocrine tumours. Many other cancers may spread to the liver, but they are metastatic cancer, not primary to the liver.
Liver Cancer Symptoms
Symptoms of liver cancer include:
-Loss of appetite
-Vomiting
-Unexplained weight loss
-Abdonminal swelling
-Jaundice
-White or chalky stools
-Weight loss
For more information, visit Mayo Clinic or CCS.
Liver Cancer Risk Factors
Liver cancer risk factors include:
-Hepatitis B or C infection
-Cirrhosis
-Diabetes
-Alcohol and Smoking
-Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
-Contact with aflatoxin, vinyl chloride, plutonium, and thorium dioxide
For more info, visit the Canadian Cancer Society or Mayo Clinic.
Liver Cancer Diagnosis
Liver cancer can be diagnosed by way of:
-Blood test (Complete blood count or blood chemistry)
-Liver function tests
-Hepatitis test
-CT Scan
-Ultrasound
-MRI
-Biopsy
For more information, visit The Canadian Liver Foundation or CCS.
Liver Cancer Treatment
Treatment for liver cancer include:
- Liver transplant
- Hepatsectomy
- Tumour ablation
- Embolization
- Chemoembolization
- Radioembolization
- Targeted Therapy
- Radiation Therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Other Surgeries
For more information, visit The Canadian Liver Foundation or the National Cancer Institute.
Liver Cancer Stories
We currently do not have any liver cancer stories at this time. If you know of any, please send them to us at info@survivornet.ca.
Canadian Liver Cancer Groups
Canadian Liver Foundation
In 1969, the Canadian Liver Foundation was born out of the passion and concern of a committed group of business leaders and doctors who believed that liver disease needed a champion. With the help of volunteers, patients and families, researchers, doctors, donors, and corporate supporters who share our vision of a world without liver disease, we are bringing liver research to life. For more information, visit www.liver.ca