Liver cancer: Everything you need to know.

Liver cancer: Everything you need to know.Liver cancer, a daunting term, is one of the malignant neoplasms with a high incidence of death worldwide and poses a serious threat to human life and health. However, many people have little or no understanding of liver cancer. Today, in a simple and common way, we will provide an overview of all aspects of liver cancer.I. What is liver cancer?In short, liver cancer is the occurrence of malignant changes in liver cells, resulting in tumours. The liver is a “large factory” in the human body, responsible for several important functions such as detoxification, metabolism and storage of energy. Once the “worker” of the factory — the liver cell — strikes (i.e. cancers), the effects on the whole body are self-evident.Liver cancer can be divided into two categories, primary and secondary. Primary liver cancer refers to cancer in the liver itself, mainly hepatic cell cancer (HCC) and cholesterol cell cancer. Remedial liver cancer refers to cancer in other organs that is transferred to the liver by various means. Here we focus on primary liver cancer.II. The “backers” of liver cancerMany people might ask, “How did liver cancer come?” In fact, liver cancer is not unknown, and the following are some of the main “backers”:1. Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C viruses: These viruses, like untimely visitors, are lurking in the liver, destroying liver cells, and can cause cancer over time. Many of the global cases of liver cancer are associated with these two viruses.Alcohol: Long-term, large-scale alcohol consumption increases the risk of liver cancer by overloading the liver, leading to cirrhosis of the alcoholic liver. Alcohol can be described as a “chronic poison” to the liver.3. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): NAFLD is also associated with metabolic syndromes such as obesity and diabetes. They’re like “invisible killers” that gradually erodes liver health.4. Aflatoxin: It is a toxin that exists in contaminated foods, and long-term ingestion increases the risk of liver cancer. It is also common in everyday life for toxins that may contain this toxin, such as moldy peanuts, maize, etc.Family genetics: If anyone in the family has developed liver cancer, the risk of illness of blood relatives increases accordingly, which is known as “family genetics”.6. Other factors: smoking, unhealthy diets and abnormal functioning of the immune system may also increase the risk of liver cancer.III. “Lams” for liver cancerEarly symptoms of liver cancer are often not visible, leading many to lose sight of it. Here are some of the possible “lights” from liver cancer:1. Upper abdominal pain or discomfort: When you feel the pain or discomfort in the upper right abdomen, the liver may be sending a distress signal.2. Desperate appetite and reduced body weight: If you do not deliberately lose weight, you find that your body weight is declining and you always have no appetite, which may be a liver problem.3. Yellow slurry: the skin or the white eye turns yellow because the liver is not properly treated for chlamydia, which leads to the accumulation of chromium in the body.4. Abdominal swelling or abdominal water: liver problems affect the balance of abdominal fluid and cause abdominal swelling.5. Incapacity: Persistent fatigue and inability may also be early symptoms of liver cancer.IV. “Detective tools” for liver cancerDiagnosis of liver cancer requires the use of modern medicine’s “detection tools”, with the following methods commonly used:Video-screening: Image-based examinations such as ultrasound, CT, MRI are like “detectors” that can see inside the liver and help detect tumours in the liver.Blood testing: detection of tumor markers, such as the AFP, allows for the initial screening of liver cancer. AFP levels tend to rise when liver problems occur.3. Liver work: Hepatial cancer can be diagnosed by a pathological examination conducted by removing a small piece of liver tissue. This is an innovative “detection” tool, which is direct and effective, and a gold standard for identifying liver cancer, but with some risk and discomfort.The “weapons against” of liver cancerOnce diagnosed with liver cancer, treatment becomes a top priority. The following are common treatment methods:1. Surgery: It applies to early liver cancer and is used to remove parts of the tumor or the whole liver. If the liver function is good, the normal function can be maintained after partial removal.2. Hepatic transplant: For patients with advanced or severely impaired liver function, life is prolonged by transplanting a healthy liver. This amounts to a new “workshop” for the liver.3. Local treatments: including radio-frequency digestion, microwave digestion, peoethanol injection, to prevent progress in liver cancer through local destruction of tumour cells. These methods, like “precision strikes”, have less impact on normal organizations.Radiotherapy: The use of high-energy rays to kill cancer cells applies to tumours that cannot be surgically removed.5. Chemical treatment: The drug inhibits the growth and spread of cancer cells, but the side effects are significant and require medical guidance.6. Target treatment: Drugs such as Solafeni, specific to specific molecule targets for cancer cells, with relatively small side effects. It’s like “Accurate Guide Missiles,” specifically for cancer cells.Immunization treatment: Combat cancer cells by enhancing the functioning of the immune system, such as PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. Immunization treatment is like “enhanced defence systems” that help bodies to fight cancer more effectively.“Preventing Secrets” for liver cancerPrevention is better than treatment, and prevention of liver cancer requires a number of approaches, as follows:1. Vaccination: Hepatitis B vaccine is an effective means of preventing hepatitis B virus infection and indirectly preventing liver cancer.2. Rehabilitation: reduction of alcohol intake and prevention of cirrhosis of the alcohol liver.3. Weight control: prevention of obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease through healthy diets and routines.4. Dietary safety: Avoid eating food contaminated with aflatoxin, such as rotten peanuts, maize, etc.Periodic medical check-ups: periodic check-ups are “wires” for detecting health problems. In particular, those with high risk factors for liver cancer should undergo periodic liver examinations for early detection and treatment.Avoid unsafe sex and sharing needles: reduce the risk of infection with Hepatitis C and Hepatitis B.7. Reasonable drug use: Avoiding substance abuse, especially of substances with liver toxicity.VII. Relationship of liver cancer to everyday lifeWe might like to compare the liver to a “supercomputer”, which deals with tasks in the back and ensures the proper functioning of the body. However, once the “computer” fails, the entire system will be affected. Therefore, we need to pay special attention to liver health.Watch your food. The fast-paced lifestyle of modern society has led many to ignore the need for healthy diets. Poor eating habits, such as heavy consumption, excessive drinking and preference for greasy foods, increase the burden on the liver. Eating more fresh vegetables and fruits, avoiding high fat, sugar and salty foods and maintaining a balanced diet are important measures to protect the liver.Sport also contributes significantly to liver health. Modest aerobics, such as running, swimming and walking, can facilitate blood circulation, enhance body immunity and contribute to the detoxification of the liver. At the same time, sport helps to control weight and prevent obesity-related liver diseases.Mental health is also an important aspect of preventing liver diseases. Long-term stress, anxiety and depression have multiple physical effects, including liver. The burden on the liver can be reduced by regulating emotions, relaxing moods and rationalizing work and life arrangements.Regular medical examinations cannot be ignored. In particular, hepatic function checks and oncological markers should be carried out on a regular basis, especially for groups with family history of liver cancer, chronic liver history or other high-risk factors. Early detection of problems and timely measures can significantly improve the cure rate.VIII. Concluding remarksWhile liver cancer is a malignant tumour that poses a serious threat to human health, it is not impossible to prevent and treat it. By understanding the causes, symptoms, diagnostic methods and treatment of liver cancer, we can better prevent and respond to the disease. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, regular medical examinations, early detection and early treatment are key to reducing the risk of liver cancer.It is hoped that this paper will provide valuable information to help raise awareness of liver cancer and protect the health of themselves and their families. Let’s focus on liver health, away from the threat of liver cancer. Remember, a healthy lifestyle is the best “pharmaceuticals” to prevent disease, and let us begin today to make a difference and work for a healthy future. Liver cancer