The National Cancer Institute (NCI) says primary liver cancer is a malignancy that develops in the tissues of the liver. It is different from metastatic liver cancer, which starts in another organ and spreads to the liver. The University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenbaum Cancer Center (UMGCC) says hepatocellular carcinoma is the most prevalent type of primary liver cancer. It makes up 84 percent of liver cancer cases. There are several potential complications associated with cancer of the liver.
Risks
While it isn't always understood why someone gets primary liver cancer, the NCI says there are several possible risk factors.They include infection with the hepatitis B or C (HBV & HCV) virus and heavy consumption of alcohol (two or more drinks per day for many years).
The American Liver Foundations says more than 80 percent of liver cancer cases are linked to cirrhosis (a serious disease that interferes with normal liver function). The NCI states that studies have shown that diabetes and obesity may also place a person at a higher risk for liver cancer.
Symptoms
In its early stages, liver cancer may not have any telltale signs or symptoms. As the disease progresses common symptoms include pain in the upper right side of the abdomen, abdominal bloating and a lump or heavy feeling in the upper abdomen. Other frequent symptoms include weakness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and eyes, light-colored stools and dark urine.
Liver Biopsy
If your doctor detects a lump on an X-ray during screening for liver cancer, he or she may insert a needle into the abdomen to remove a small amount of tissue from the liver (a biopsy). The sample tissue will be examined under a microscope to see if any cancer cells exist.
The NCI states problems associated with liver biopsies are rare and usually occur within a few hours following the procedure. Among the possible complications are hemorrhage and bile peritonitis (an inflammation of the membrane that lines the inside of the abdomen and all of the internal organs). Death due to a liver biopsy is extremely rare.
Treatment
Treatment for primary liver cancer will depend on the site and location of the tumor(s), how effectively your liver is currently functioning, whether you have also been diagnosed with cirrhosis and whether the cancer has spread beyond the liver.
According to the NCI, if is diagnosed early, surgery or a liver transplant can treat small or slow-growing tumors. Unfortunately, few cases are caught in the early stages. An oral medicine that blocks tumor growth (Sorafenib toslate, or brand name Nexavar) has been approved for patients with late stage hepatocellular carcinoma.
Complications
The NCI says complications associated with hepatocellular carcinoma are gastrointestinal bleeding and liver failure. It is also likely to spread outside of the liver. According to the Mayo Clinic, the advanced stage in which liver cancer is frequently diagnosed can render conventional chemotherapy ineffective. And in many patients, liver cancer tends to come back after surgery.
Secondary Conditions
Treatment of liver cancer can be difficult because in addition to the cancer itself, many patients have liver damage from preexisting conditions such as hepatitis and/or cirrhosis. According to the Stanford School of Medicine, the livers of some patients are so dysfunctional that they are more apt to die from liver failure than from the cancer itself. A doctor and patient must carefully weigh the potential benefits of various treatment options against the risk of liver failure.
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