liver cancer

What is Liver Cancer?
There are two main kinds of liver cancer. Heptoma and
cholangiocarcinoma. Heptoma is cancer of the hepatocytes. (The main
functioning liver cell). Hepatoma is primary liver cancer. Hepatoma
usually grows in the liver as a ball-like tumor, invading the normal
tissue surrounding it. A history of infection with the hepatitis B
virus puts individuals at risk of developing heptoma.
Cancer of the bile duct cells is called cholangiocarcinoma.
Cholangiocarcinoma originates in the bile ducts and is often caused by
infestation with the liver fluke Clonorchis (a parasite). The cancer
grows along the bile ducts in sheets or lines, and is hard to find on
X-ray studies.
Most cases of liver cancer are actually cancers that started in
another organ. This is called metastases. Because of its very high
blood flow and many biological functions, the liver is one of the most
common places for metastases to grow. Tumors that originally arise in
the colon, pancreas, stomach, lung or breast can spread to the
liver.
Liver cancer is much more prevalent in many of the developing
countries than in the industrialized world. Its incidence is highest
in subSaharan Africa, China, southern Asia, and Japan. Japan is the
exception of the industrialized countries. China accounts for about
45% of the world's cases.
What Causes or Increases Risk for Liver Cancer?
Once cause of liver cancer is exposure to vinyl chloride. Other causes
of liver cancer are unknown. However certain risk factors have been
identified. The risk factors are: Chronic Hepatitis, Cirrhosis of the
liver and liver flukes (parasites).
Treatments for Liver Cancer?
Treatments will vary according to the individual. Some of the possible
treatments are: surgery, liver transplantation, chemotherapy and
radiation.
Liver transplantation is the replacement

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