Liver Tumor

Liver cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related death. The major forms of primary liver cancer are hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA). Both these tumors develop against a background of cirrhotic liver, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, chronic liver damage and fibrosis. HCC is a heterogeneous disease which usually develops within liver cirrhosis related to various etiologies: hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (frequent in Asia and Africa), hepatitis C virus (HCV), chronic alcohol abuse, or metabolic syndrome (frequent in Western countries). In cirrhosis, hepatocarcinogenesis is a multi-step process where pre-cancerous dysplastic macronodules transform progressively into HCC.

Colorectal liver metastasis (CRC) is an increasing global health issue. It is the most common gastro-intestinal tumor and the third most frequently diagnosed malignancy worldwide.

The liver is recognized as the most common site of CRC metastasis because the majority of the intestinal mesenteric drainage enters the hepatic portal venous system.

Signs and symptoms of liver cancer often do not show up until the later stages of the disease, but sometimes they may show up sooner. If you go to your doctor when you first notice symptoms, your cancer might be diagnosed earlier, when treatment is most likely to be helpful. Some of the most common symptoms of liver cancer are:

• Weight loss (without trying)
• Loss of appetite
• Feeling very full after a small meal
• Nausea or vomiting
• An enlarged liver, felt as a mass under the ribs on the right side
• An enlarged spleen, felt as a mass under the ribs on the left side
• Pain in the abdomen or near the right shoulder blade
• Swelling or fluid build-up in the abdomen
• Itching
• Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)

Some other symptoms can include fever, enlarged veins on the belly that can be seen through the skin, and abnormal bruising or bleeding.