2
4
5
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
Digestive system
Digestive system
Liver biopsy
Liver biopsy
Hepatocellular cancer, CT scan
Hepatocellular cancer, CT scan

Hepatocellular carcinoma
Definition:
Hepatocellular carcinoma involves a malignant tumor of the liver.

Alternative Names:
Primary liver cell carcinoma; Tumor - liver; Liver cancer; Cancer - liver

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Hepatocellular carcinoma accounts for 80% to 90% of all liver cancers. It occurs more often in men than women and occurs mostly in people 50 to 60 years old. The disease is more common in parts of Africa and Asia than in North and South America and Europe.

The cause of liver cancer is unknown, but contributing factors include chronicliver disease, viral hepatitis (especially hepatitis B and C), hemochromatosis, known hepatic (liver) carcinogens, and toxins (mycotoxins) found in foods in parts of Africa and Asia. The incidence is about 4 in 10,000 people.
Symptoms:
  • Abdominal pain or tenderness, particularly in the right-upper quadrant
  • Enlarged abdomen
  • Easy bruising or bleeding
  • Jaundice (a yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes)
Signs and tests:
Hepatocellular carcinoma may also alter the following test results:
Treatment:

Aggressive surgery or liver transplantation may be successful in treating small or slow-growing tumors if they are diagnosed early.

Chemotherapy and radiation treatments are not usually effective but may be used to shrink large tumors so that surgery has a greater chance of success.
Support Groups:
The stress of illness can often be helped by joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems. See liver disease - support group and cancer - support group.
Expectations (prognosis):
The usual outcome is poor, because only 10% to 20% of hepatocellular carcinomas can be removed completely using surgery. If the cancer cannot be completely removed, the disease is usually fatal within 3 to 6 months.
Complications:
Calling your health care provider:
Call your health care provider if persistent abdominal pain develops, particularly if there has been a history of any liver disease.
Prevention:
Control of known hepatic carcinogens may have a preventive effect.
Prevention and treatment of viral hepatitis may be beneficial in reducing risk.
Review Date: 8/2/2002
Reviewed By: Scott Howard, M.D., M.S., Memphis, TN. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2003 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
adam.com