Liver Cancer - The Symptoms

This disease (hepatocellular carcinoma) is a cancer arising from the liver. It is also known as primary liver cancer or hepatoma. The liver is made up of different cell types (for example, bile ducts, blood vessels, and fat-storing cells). Liver cells (hepatocytes) make up 80% of the liver tissue. Thus, most primary liver cancers (over 90 to 95%) arises from liver cells and is called hepatocellular cancer or carcinoma.

It's the fifth common cancer disease affecting the liver and is more commonly metastatic cancer. It occurs when tumors from other parts of the body spread (metastasize) to the liver. Cancers that commonly spread to the liver include colon, lung and breast cancers. This disease occurs when liver cells begin to grow abnormally.

The leading causes of this disease are hepatitis infection and cirrhosis. Signs and symptoms in the early stages of liver cancer are not seen. So the disease may not be detected until it is advanced. When symptoms do appear, they may include the following:

* Loss of appetite and weight
* Abdominal pain, especially in the upper right part of your abdomen, that may extend into your back and shoulder
* Nausea and vomiting
* General weakness and fatigue
* An enlarged liver
* Abdominal swelling (ascites)
* A yellow discoloration of your skin and the whites of your eyes (jaundice)

The causes are

Smoking: Smoking tobacco of any kind makes it more likely that you'll develop liver cancer.
Excessive alcohol consumption: Consuming more than a moderate amount of alcohol can lead to irreversible liver damage and increase your risk of liver cancer.
Diabetes: People with this blood sugar disorder have a greater risk of this disease
Cirrhosis: This progressive and irreversible condition cause scar tissue to form in your liver and increases your chances of developing liver cancer.
By: Mercy Maranga