What is hepatocellular carcinoma?
Liver cancers are malignant tumors that arise from the organ’s own tissue. It is especially common in areas where Hepatitis B disease is common. It is more common in men than in women. Hepatocellular carcinoma originating from the “hepatocyte”, the functional cell of the liver, constitutes approximately 90 percent of liver cancers.
What are the causes of hepatocellular carcinoma?
Hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common type of liver cancer, is more frequently seen in individuals with long-term liver disease and those who have hepatitis B or hepatitis C infections. Additionally, it is more prevalent in individuals with excessive alcohol consumption and those who have fat accumulation in the liver.
What are the symptoms of hepatocellular carcinoma?
The symptoms of hepatocellular carcinoma include pain and tenderness in the upper right side of the abdomen, easy bruising and bleeding, an enlarged abdomen, yellowing of the skin and eyes and unexplained weight loss.
How is hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosed?
The diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma typically involves liver function blood tests, abdominal CT and MRI imaging, abdominal ultrasound, and a liver biopsy to assess tissue samples. Additionally, an alpha-fetoprotein test is often conducted as part of the diagnostic process.
How is hepatocellular carcinoma treated?
Treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma is planned according to the size and location of the tumor, the working capacity of the liver and the general health of the person. The method that patients benefit most from is surgery. Removing a part of the liver to include tumors or liver transplantation are surgical treatment options. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, tumor burning methods or nuclear medicine treatments may be preferred in tumors for which surgery is not suitable or in patients who cannot tolerate surgery.