liver cancer

liver carcinoma

Although tumors of the liver (liver cancer) increase in the western world, they are still relatively rare. In Africa and Southeast Asia, liver cancer is one of the most common cancers. Due to the large number of those affected, liver cell cancer is one of the fifth most common types of cancer in the world.

Contents:
Synonyms
causes
Symptoms, complaints

Synonyms

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), liver tumor, hepatic carcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, liver cell tumor, primary hepatocellular carcinoma, carcinoma hepatis, hepatica sarcoma, liver sarcoma, liver, malignant hepatoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, liver cancer, liver carcinoma.

causes

As with other cancers, permanent irritation in an organ through inflammation is a factor that apparently causes cells to degenerate faster. In the case of the liver, this also applies to liver cell cancer. On the basis of hepatitis B or hepatitis C infection, hepatocellular carcinoma (hepatocellular carcinoma) may evolve faster. As a possible consequence of hepatitis infection or alcohol abuse (alcohol abuse), a liver shrinkage (liver cirrhosis) may develop, which is also considered a risk factor for liver cancer.

In addition, poisoning with certain substances such as aflatoxin (poison of Aspergillus flavus fungus), arsenic or vinyl chloride (gas) or the ingestion of certain hormones such as estrogens or androgens or substances such as the former, used as a contrast agent, Thorotrast as risk factors. Diseases such as hemochromatosis (iron storage disease) and alpha-1-antitrypsin enzyme deficiency are also considered a risk.

Symptoms, complaints

Often, early diagnosis is difficult because the symptoms of liver cancer can be very nonspecific. Symptoms such as abdominal pain or upper abdominal pain, often associated with nausea or vomiting, weight loss, general inefficiency, loss of appetite, pressure pain and / or swelling under the right costal arch, sometimes with radiations similar to flank pain, jaundice (jaundice) with itching and possibly dark urine in a light stool. (Thorsten Fischer, Naturopath Osteopathy)

Picture credits: by-sassi