Liver Cancer - About Liver Cancer

Liver cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the liver. This condition is specifically called primary liver cancer. According to the US National Cancer Institute (NCI), liver cancer affects about 15,000 men and 6,000 women each year and most of them are over 64 years old. Because other types of cancer can spread (metastasize) to the liver, this topic will cover cancer that starts in the liver and does not include cancer that spread to the liver from other parts of the body.

What is the liver? What does it do?

The liver is the largest organ inside the body located in the upper right abdomen, protected by the lower right ribs. The liver has several functions important for maintaining life. A healthy liver has many functions including

 Removing toxins and other harmful substances from the blood

 Making enzymes and bile, which help digest food

 Converting food into substances needed for life and growth

The liver receives blood from two sources, the hepatic portal vein and the hepatic artery. The hepatic portal vein carries nutrients that are newly absorbed from the intestine to the liver. Oxygen-rich blood flows to the liver through the hepatic artery.

In primary liver cancer, cancer cells begin in the liver cells called hepatocytes. This type of cancer is called hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or malignant hepatoma. Malignant means that abnormal growth of cells are cancerous, which can spread to other parts of the body and can be life threatening.

Risk Factors

Experts are unsure why one person gets liver cancer while others do not. However, certain risk factors may increase the chance of a person getting liver cancer. Risk factors for primary liver cancer may include

 Having hepatitis caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV).

 Having cirrhosis or scarring of the liver. Liver cirrhosis is a serious liver disorder where liver cells are damaged and replaced with scar tissue. Scarred liver tissue cannot perform normal function.

 Long-term heavy alcohol drinking.

 Being obese or diabetic. According to the National Cancer Institute, obesity and diabetes may be important risk factors for liver cancer.

 Low weight at birth (National Library of Medicine)

Having two or more of these risk factors increase the chance of getting liver cancer. However, many people with known risk factors for liver cancer don’t develop the disease.

Signs and Symptoms

Early stages of liver cancer may not cause symptoms. However, as the cancer grows larger, symptoms may occur including

 Pain or lump on the upper right abdomen

 Yellowing of the skin and sclera (white portion) of the eyes (jaundice)

 Loss of appetite and feeling of fullness

 Swelling of the abdomen (bloating)

 Weight loss

 Nausea and vomiting

 Fever

These symptoms may also be caused by other health problems. Consult your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.

Treatment

According to the National Cancer Institute, liver cancer can be cured when it is found during its early stage and cancer cells have not spread to other parts of the body.

Treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or liver transplantation. Some people may need a combination of treatments.

Side effects of liver cancer treatment are common. Ask your health care team about possible side effects and how the treatment may change your normal activities.

References:

US National Cancer Institute (NCI, April 29, 2009). What You Need To Know About ™ Liver Cancer. National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Medline Plus.Liver Cancer

Page Last Revised: August 2, 2012

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Liver - Location and Functions of the Liver

The liver is a large organ located in the right upper part of the abdomen just below the diaphragm. It is considered as the largest and heaviest organ in the body, which weighs about 1.4 kg in an average adult. This large organ is divided into several lobes. However, when viewed in front, you will see only two major lobes, the left lobe—the largest lobe of the liver—and the right lobe. The other two lobes are the quadrate lobe and caudate lobe, which are best seen under the liver.

Blood Supply

The liver receives blood from two major sources: the hepatic artery, which carries blood containing oxygen and the hepatic portal vein, which carries blood that contain newly absorbed nutrients from the digestive tract.


Another part of the liver, the gallbladder functions to store the bile formed by the hepatocytes—the liver cells. Bile is needed for the absorption of fats.

Liver Functions

In addition to producing and secreting bile, other important liver functions include

 Removing harmful chemicals and other substances that might be present in the blood

 Fighting infections

 Helping in the digestion of food by producing bile

 Storing nutrients and vitamins, such as vitamin A, D, E, K, and B12

 Storing energy, which is called glycogen. As energy—provided by blood sugar or blood glucose—becomes low, the liver can break down the stored glycogen to produce blood glucose. When blood sugar is high, which normally occurs after a meal, the liver can convert the excess glucose for storage.

Abnormalities can occur in the liver. Some of the disease or disorders of the liver include Alagille syndrome, cirrhosis, hemochromatosis, hepatitis, porphyria, primary sclerosing cholangitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, and Wilson disease.

Having a healthy liver can make digestive processes work better. In addition, one's healthy liver can get rid of germs that are present in the blood.

References:
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC), National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). NIH Publication No. 09–6408, February 2009

Tortora, G. and Grabowski, S.: PRINCIPLES OF ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY. 10th ed. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 2003.

Seeley, R., Stephens, T., and Tate, P.: Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology.5th ed.Mc-Graw-Hills, Inc., 2005

Image Credit: NIDDK Image Library

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Page Last Revised: August 2, 2012