What is liver cancer?

Le liver cancer occurs when abnormal cells form uncontrollably in its tissues. Primary cancer (also called hepatocarcinoma) is cancer that starts in cells of the liver (called hepatocytes). Secondary cancer or metastatic results from cancer that first formed elsewhere in the body before spreading through the blood to the liver.

The growth of abnormal cells can lead to the formation of a benign tumor ou smart. A benign tumor does not threaten to spread to the rest of the body and can be removed without the risk of complications. However, a malignant tumor must be treated because it can spread and poses a threat to survival.

Located on the right side of the abdomen, below the diaphragm and to the right of the stomach, the liver is one of the most voluminous organs. Its functions are multiple and important:

• It filters the toxins absorbed by the body.
• It stores and transforms nutrients absorbed through the intestines.
• It manufactures protein that help blood to clot.
• It produces the bile which allows the body to absorb fat and cholesterol.
• It helps to regulate the rate of glucose (blood sugar) and some hormones.

Symptoms of liver cancer

At the onset of the disease, the liver cancer very rarely triggers specific and obvious symptoms. It is therefore difficult to diagnose the disease at an early stage. This cancer is more often detected when it has reached an advanced stage. At this point, it can manifest itself as following symptoms :

• unexplained weight loss
• loss of appetite;
• pain in the abdomen;
• nausea and vomiting;
• generalized fatigue;
• the appearance of a lump in the liver area;
• jaundice (yellow complexion and eyes, pale stools and dark urine).

Attention, these symptoms do not necessarily indicate the presence of a cancerous tumor. They can be signs of other more common health problems. If such symptoms occur, it is important to see a doctor so that the latter makes the appropriate examinations and determines the cause, especially for people at risk.

People at risk

• People with chronic hepatitis B or C
• Patients suffering from cirrhosis of the liver whatever its origin;
• Those who consume alcohol in excess.
• People with diabetes.
• People suffering from obesity.
• People suffering from an iron overload (hemochromatosis, a disease of genetic origin common in Brittany due to a mutation of a gene transmitted by Celtic ancestors);
• People suffering from an overload of fats in the liver, such as:
  • People with diabetes.
  • People suffering from obesity

Types

The most common form of primary liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma which forms from liver cells (hepatocytes).

There are other, less common forms of liver cancer, such as cholangiocarcinoma, which affects the duct that leads the bile produced by the liver to the gallbladder; or even angiosarcoma, very rare, from the wall of blood vessels in the liver.

This fact sheet deals only with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Prevalence

It is the 5th most common cancer in the world. In Canada, the liver cancer is relatively rare and accounts for less than 1% of cancer cases and deaths.

The regions with the highest incidence of liver cancer are regions where infection with Hepatitis B Hepatitis C viruses is significant, such as Asia, Africa, Central or East . Hepatitis B virus infection is thought to be involved in 50 to 80% of hepato-cellular carcinomas.