Among the many malignant tumors, liver cancer has attracted widespread attention worldwide due to its high incidence and insidiousness. Understanding the causes, symptoms, prevention and treatment of liver cancer is an important lesson for us to take care of our own health and prevent it from occurring.
There are two main types of liver cancer:
Liver cancer is a malignant tumor, primary liver cancer and secondary liver cancer.
- Primary liver cancer originates from the epithelial or mesenchymal tissues of the liver, among which primary liver cancer has a higher incidence and greater harm.
- Secondary liver cancer, on the other hand, is formed by metastasis of malignant tumors in other parts of the liver.
The Invisible Assassin of Liver Cancer: Risk Factors
Risk factors for liver cancer lurk in all corners of daily life:
1. Hepatitis B and C viruses: These two viruses can cause long-term hepatitis, and persistent inflammatory damage can lead to cirrhosis and even liver cancer.
2. Alcohol: Love spirits like life?Be careful, long-term drinking can lead to chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis, which in turn increases the risk of liver cancer.
3. Aflatoxin: This naturally occurring mycotoxin is found in certain improperly stored foods, such as peanuts and corn, and can damage the DNA of liver cells.
4. Obesity and type 2 diabetes: they can cause non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which may develop into liver cancer in the long run.
5. Genetic factors: Individuals who have liver cancer in their family have a relatively higher chance of developing it themselves.
Signs of liver cancer: Listen to your body's call
The symptoms of liver cancer can vary from person to person, and early liver cancer may have no obvious symptoms. As the disease progresses, patients may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
1. Abdominal symptoms:
Swollen or swollen abdomen (ascites)
Constant pressure, fullness, or pain in the upper abdomen
In severe cases, a lump may be palpable
2. Digestive Symptoms:
Loss of appetite
Nausea and vomiting
Weight loss (unexplained)
Skin and eye changes:
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
Itching
3. Systemic symptoms:
Persistent fatigue
fever
General feeling of discomfort or deterioration of physical condition
4. Other symptoms:
Easy to bleed or bruise
Swelling of the legs (edema)
Changes in bowel or urination habits
These symptoms are not unique to liver cancer, and they may also be associated with other health problems. If any of the above symptoms persist, you should seek medical advice for examination. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to improve the cure rate of liver cancer.
Prevention is always better than cure, and the prevention of liver cancer can be started from the following aspects:
1. Vaccination:
Hepatitis B vaccination (HBV vaccine) is the most effective way to prevent liver cancer associated with hepatitis B virus.
There is no vaccine for hepatitis C virus (HCV), but the principles of safe injection and blood product use should be followed to prevent infection.
2. Healthy Lifestyle:
Limit or avoid alcohol altogether, excessive alcohol consumption is a significant factor in liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Maintain a healthy weight and avoid fatty liver disease, which is a risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its more severe form, nonalcoholic hepatitis (NASH).
Eat a healthy diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and reduce your intake of processed and fatty foods.
3. Quit smoking: Smoking has been linked to an increased risk of several types of cancer, including liver cancer.
4. Avoid exposure to toxins: Reduce exposure to environmental toxins that can cause liver cancer, such as aflatoxin (a mycotoxin that appears in grains and nuts when stored inappropriately) and other industrial chemicals and contaminants that can cause cancer.
5. Regular physical examination: For people at high risk of liver cancer (e.g., chronic hepatitis B or C carriers, individuals with a history of liver cirrhosis), regular liver ultrasound and blood marker testing (such as alpha-fetoprotein AFP) can detect liver cancer early.
6. Pharmacotherapy: For patients with chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C, antiviral therapy may reduce the risk of liver cancer.
7. Avoid unnecessary medications and herbal remedies: Long-term use of certain medications and supplements can put a strain on the liver. It is best to consult a doctor before using any new medication or herbal supplement.
8. Control of comorbidities: If there is diabetes or other chronic diseases that may affect liver health, it should be managed appropriately.
9. Avoid risky behaviors: Avoid sharing needles, unsterilized tattoo equipment, and protect personal items such as toothbrushes and razors to reduce the risk of blood-borne viruses.
The risk of liver cancer can be significantly reduced with these preventive measures. If you have specific risk factors, or would like to learn more about prevention strategies, you should consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice.
There are many ways to treat liver cancer, including surgery, intervention, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and targeted therapy. For patients with early-stage liver cancer, surgical resection is the most effective treatment. For patients who are inoperable or at high risk of surgery, interventional therapy or radiation therapy may be an option. Chemotherapy and targeted therapy can be used as adjuncts to improve treatment outcomes.
Misconceptions about liver cancer
Myth 1: Liver cancer only occurs in alcoholics
To clarify: While it is true that long-term heavy alcohol consumption is one of the risk factors for liver cancer, it is far from the only cause. Liver cancer can also be caused by hepatitis B and C virus infections, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), genetic disorders, and exposure to certain toxins and chemicals.
Myth 2: Liver cancer is always accompanied by obvious symptoms
Clarification: In the early stages, liver cancer may not have any symptoms. When symptoms appear, such as abdominal pain, weight loss, jaundice, etc., liver cancer has often progressed to a more advanced stage. That's why early diagnosis is essential to improve the success rate of treatment.
Myth 3: All liver cancers are fatal
To clarify: The prognosis for liver cancer depends on a variety of factors such as the stage at the time of detection, the size and type of tumor, the overall health of the patient, and whether surgery or other treatments are available. Early detection and prompt treatment can significantly improve survival.
Myth 4: Liver cancer is not curable
Clarification: Although liver cancer is a serious disease, it is curable in some cases. In particular, if the tumor is confined to the liver, surgical resection or liver transplantation may be curative.
Myth 5: Liver disease always leads to liver cancer
Clarification: Not all liver diseases will evolve into liver cancer. While chronic liver disease and cirrhosis increase the risk of liver cancer, not all people with these diseases will develop liver cancer.
Myth 6: There is only one way to treat liver cancer: chemotherapy
Clarification: There are various treatments for liver cancer, including surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, interventional therapy (such as radiofrequency ablation and transarterial embolization therapy), and targeted therapy. The choice of treatment depends on the specific characteristics of the tumor and the general health of the patient.
Myth 7: Liver screening is not necessary
Clarification: For high-risk groups, such as individuals with chronic hepatitis B or C infection, cirrhosis, or a family history of liver cancer, regular liver screening may help detect liver cancer early so that treatment can be carried out in a timely manner.
Understanding the truth about liver cancer can help better prevent, diagnose and treat the disease, and may help patients and their families make more informed medical decisions. If you have questions about liver cancer, you should consult a medical professional for accurate information.
Liver cancer is not an incurable disease, and early detection, early diagnosis and early treatment are crucial. From now on, let's pay attention to liver health, do a good job of daily protection, and work together to build a lifeline of defense, so that liver cancer can stay away from our lives. Remember, a healthy lifestyle and regular check-ups are two of the best ways to protect your liver.