Hepatitis cancer is one of the malignant neoplasms with high global morbidity and mortality rates and is associated with a number of factors, including chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis. Early symptoms of liver cancer are not visible, and many patients are found to be in a more serious condition and are therefore called “silent killers”. This article will provide detailed information on the basics of liver cancer, risk factors, preventive measures and treatment methods to help readers understand liver cancer and to enhance their self-protection awareness.
I. What is liver cancer?
Hepatic cancer, medically known as primary liver cancer (Hepatocellular Carcinoma, HCC), is a malignant tumor originating in the liver. The liver is the largest substantive organ of the human body and is responsible for a variety of important physiological functions, such as metabolism, detoxification, storage of nutrients, etc. Initial liver cancer is usually caused by mutagenic changes in liver cells, which can lead to the loss of normal breeding and differentiation control of the cells, resulting in tumours. Early detection and prevention are particularly important because early symptoms of liver cancer are often not visible and many patients are advanced at the time of diagnosis.
Risk factors for liver cancer
Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C (HCV) infections are the main risk factors for liver cancer worldwide. Chronic hepatitis B virus infections can cause chronic hepatitis inflammation, which eventually leads to cirrhosis of the liver, which is the main precursor to liver cancer. Hepatitis C is also an important cause of liver cancer, especially in the absence of long-term treatment, where fibrosis and even cirrhosis can occur, leading to liver cancer. The cirrhosis of the liver is the process of hepatotransformation, fibrosis and coitus formation following long-term damage to the liver. The liver function of a liver cirrhosis patient is impaired, and liver cancer is prone. Common causes of cirrhosis include chronic alcoholism, viral hepatitis and non-alcoholic fat hepatitis. Clothoxin is a carcinogen produced by fungi and is widely found in poorly stored foods, especially maize, peanuts, etc. The chronic ingestion of aflatoxin is closely related to the occurrence of liver cancer. The acryloxin function is to induce a mutation of liver cells through DNA damage, increasing the risk of liver cancer. Fatty liver and non-alcoholic fat liver disease (NAFLD) are closely associated with metabolic syndromes such as obesity, diabetes and high blood resin. Long-term metabolic disorders lead to liver fat accumulation, which may eventually develop into fat hepatitis, hepatitis fibrosis, and even hepatitis cirrhosis, increasing the risk of liver cancer. Drinking alcohol The chronic high consumption of alcohol is an important cause of cirrhosis of the liver, which in turn increases the risk of liver cancer. Alcohol damage to the liver can cause chronic inflammation, leading to cancer in liver cells. Family history and genetic factors have a relatively high risk of disease among people with a family history of liver cancer. In addition, certain genetic diseases, such as genetic liver fibrosis, may increase the risk of liver cancer.
III. Symptoms of liver cancer and early detection
Since early liver cancer is usually not visible, many patients are in the middle and late stages of the examination. Even so, some early symptoms may occur, notably:
1. Declining appetite and body weight: due to liver damage, patients may suffer from an appetite, leading to a rapid loss of weight.
2. Abdominal discomfort or pain: a swelling of the liver or accumulation of abdominal water may cause abdominal pain, especially in the upper right abdomen.
3. Yellow slurry: yellow slurry is a common symptom of advanced liver cancer, manifested in yellowish skin and eyes. This is due to the decline in liver function and the inability to effectively metabolize chlamydia.
4. Incapacity and nausea: Patients may feel persistent inactivity associated with digestive symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.
5. Abundance of abdominal and liver function: abdominal water is one of the signs of advanced liver cancer and is manifested in abdominal expansion. In addition, hepatic function indicators (e.g., ALT, AST, etc.) in blood are elevated, suggesting serious liver damage.
IV. Diagnosis of liver cancer
Diagnosis of liver cancer requires a combination of clinical symptoms, visual and laboratory examinations. Common diagnostic methods include:
1. Visual screening1 Ultrasound screening: is the most common method of screening for liver cancer, especially for high-risk groups such as hepatitis B, C, etc. 2 CT scans and MRI: The size, location and immersion of liver tumours can be assessed more accurately, especially in cases of suspected advanced liver cancer.
2. Blood examination AFP: AFP is an important sign of tumours in liver cancer, and although not all liver cancer patients increase, AFP rises often indicate the possibility of liver cancer.
3. If the results of the visual examination and blood markers support the diagnosis of liver cancer, the doctor may conduct a liver piercing biopsy and take a small block of liver tissue for a pathological examination to confirm whether it is liver cancer.
Treatment for liver cancer
The treatment of liver cancer depends on the patient ‘ s condition, liver function and the tumour ‘ s chronology, and the most common treatments include surgical treatment, treatment, chemotherapy and target-oriented treatment. Surgery is the most common treatment for early liver cancer patients. Patients with limited liver tumours and well-functioning livers can remove tumours through liver partial removal. For patients who cannot undergo hepatectomy, liver transplants may be considered. Hepatotransplantation is an effective treatment option for some liver cancer patients who are unable to undergo hepatectomy, especially those with severe liver cirrhosis. The liver transplant not only removes tumours but also restores liver function.
Local treatment
Radio-frequency digestion: Incubation of the tumour by needle and heating, applicable to small liver cancer.
Control tube artery pulsation (TACE): The direct injection of chemotherapy drugs into the tumour blood supply area is often used for liver cancer patients who cannot be surgically removed. Chemotherapy and target exemption:
Chemotherapy: Although traditional chemotherapy has had limited effects in liver cancer treatment, it still applies to some late-stage patients who cannot operate. Target treatment: Targeting drugs, such as Sorafenib, can target specific molecules of tumours, prevent tumour cell growth and prolong the patient ‘ s life.
Immunotherapy: In recent years, immunization treatment methods such as immunostatics have gradually shown good prospects for liver cancer treatment. Immunisation treatment enhances patient ‘ s immune system to recognize and attack tumour cells.
VI. Prevention of liver cancer
The prevention of liver cancer includes the following:
Prevention and treatment of viral hepatitis Vaccination against hepatitis B is an important measure against hepatitis B and hepatitis cancer. For those infected with hepatitis C, timely antiretroviral treatment can also significantly reduce the risk of liver cancer.
Control of alcohol ingestion. Long-term alcohol abuse is an important cause of cirrhosis and liver cancer, and therefore limiting alcohol consumption is an effective measure to prevent liver cancer.
