Have you ever felt a heaviness, a small lump, or a feeling of fullness under your ribs on the right side? Sometimes these can be just normal gas pains. However, sometimes they can be symptoms of a serious disease of the liver, one of the most important organs in our body. Today we are talking about Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of cancer that occurs in the liver. Even though this name may sound a bit scary and complicated when you hear it, don't worry. Let's talk about this in a simple way that everyone can understand.
What is this Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)?
Simply put, HCC is the most common type of cancer that starts in the liver cells. It is a relatively aggressive type of cancer. It is most often seen in people who already have a chronic liver disease, especially cirrhosis , a condition in which the liver becomes stiff and scarred, and its function is impaired. Recently, HCC has also been seen more frequently in people with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), a condition caused by fat accumulation in the liver.
One of the sad things about this cancer is that it grows very slowly in the early stages. Therefore, there may be no symptoms in the early stages. It can be cured in the early stages by surgically removing the tumor or by a liver transplant. However, by the time most people are diagnosed with this disease, the cancer has already spread and is at a stage where it can spread rapidly. Eventually, this can even lead to liver failure. In such a case, treating doctors becomes very challenging.
This condition is so serious that if you have a liver disease like cirrhosis or MASLD, your doctor will definitely check you regularly to see if you have any signs of HCC cancer.
How common is this cancer?
Consider this: 85 to 90 out of 100 primary cancers in the liver are HCC. (When cancer spreads to the liver from another location, we call it metastatic cancer.) It is the sixth most commonly diagnosed cancer in the world and the third leading cause of cancer deaths.
What's more, men are two to three times more likely to develop the disease than women. Most often, people diagnosed with the disease are 60 years of age or older.
What are the symptoms of HCC?
As mentioned earlier, cancerous tumors may not cause any symptoms in the early stages. However, as the cancer progresses, you may start to experience things like:
| Symptom | Simply put... |
|---|---|
| Fullness under the right rib cage | A feeling of heaviness or a lump under the ribs on the right side (this can be a sign of an enlarged liver ). |
| Fullness under the left rib cage | A feeling of heaviness under the ribs on the left side (this may be a sign of an enlarged spleen ). |
| Yellowing of the skin and eyes | We usually call this jaundice . |
| Abdominal bloating | A swollen feeling as if the stomach is filled with water. |
| Appetite | Not feeling like eating, feeling full even after eating a little. |
| Weight loss | Losing weight for no apparent reason. |
| Nausea and vomiting | Persistent nausea and vomiting. |
| Itchy skin | A constant itching sensation all over the body or in certain areas. |
But keep this in mind. These symptoms can often be seen in other common illnesses as well. So don't panic just because you have one or two of these. However, if these symptoms persist for more than two weeks, it's best to see a doctor and get checked out.
Why does HCC cancer develop? What are the risk factors?
Most people diagnosed with HCC (about 80%) have cirrhosis. Some people can develop this cancer before cirrhosis. In these conditions, if left untreated, chronic inflammation in the liver can lead to severe scarring of the liver, which can eventually lead to HCC.
There are several key factors that increase your risk of developing HCC cancer.
| Risk factor | How does this affect? |
|---|---|
| Hepatitis B infection | A viral infection spread through body fluids. The specialty of this is that it can cause HCC cancer even before cirrhosis occurs. |
| Hepatitis C infection | A viral infection that spreads through the blood. This also damages the liver and increases the risk of cancer. |
| Fatty liver disease (MASLD) | Unwanted fat accumulation in the liver. This risk is higher if you have obesity, metabolic syndrome, or type 2 diabetes. |
| Excessive alcohol consumption | Alcohol is a hard pill for our liver to swallow. Long-term heavy drinking can damage the liver, leading to cirrhosis and liver cancer. |
If you are in this risk group, your doctor will regularly check you for signs of this cancer. This can help detect the disease early and treat it. Your doctor will also help you stop smoking or drinking alcohol, and manage chronic diseases such as hepatitis infections and diabetes.
How is this disease accurately diagnosed?
When you see a doctor, he or she will first examine you physically and ask about your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle. Then, they may do several tests to confirm the diagnosis, such as:
- Blood tests: Your blood will be checked for cancer markers. Specifically, levels of a protein called alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) are checked. If this level is elevated, it could be a sign of HCC or a condition that can lead to it, such as hepatitis or cirrhosis.
- Imaging scans: Scans such as ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) , or angiography can clearly show the presence of a tumor or tumors within the liver.
- Liver biopsy: In some cases, if the scan results are not enough information, the doctor will take a very small piece of tissue from the liver tumor and examine it under a microscope to see if there are any cancer cells. However, one of the unique features of HCC is that if the tumor is clearly visible on an MRI or CT scan of a person with cirrhosis, the diagnosis can be made without a biopsy .
What are the treatments for HCC?
Treatment for HCC depends on the stage of the cancer, the overall health of the liver, and your general health. There are several main treatment options.
| Treatment method | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Surgery | Hepatectomy (removal of the part of the liver where the cancer is located) or liver transplant (liver transplant) can be performed. This can only be done in the early stages of the disease. |
| Ablation therapy | Cancer cells are destroyed by burning them with extreme heat (microwaves or radiofrequency waves) or extreme cold using a special needle. |
| Embolization | The blood vessels that supply blood to the tumor are blocked. Sometimes anti-cancer drugs (chemoembolization) or small radioactive seeds (radioembolization) are sent through these. |
| Radiation therapy | Small tumors that cannot be removed by surgery are destroyed by high-energy radiation. SBRT (Stereotactic body radiation therapy) is a special method used for this. |
| Immunotherapy | We give drugs that stimulate our body's own immune system, allowing it to recognize and attack cancer cells. |
| Targeted therapy | Special drugs are given that block the signaling pathways that allow cancer cells to grow and divide. |
Your doctor may also suggest that you participate in clinical trials that test new treatments. They may also offer palliative care to help control symptoms, reduce your discomfort, and make your life easier.
Can this disease be completely cured?
Surgical removal of the tumor or a liver transplant are the best options for a complete cure. Even if surgery is not possible, there are other treatments that can relieve symptoms, slow the growth of the cancer, and help you live longer.
According to statistics, the five-year survival rate for people with this disease is only 21%. But don't be alarmed by this. This is not the same for everyone. It can vary greatly depending on your condition, the stage of the cancer, the health of your liver, and your response to treatment. Every patient is different. Therefore, only your doctor can give you the best idea of what to expect based on your condition.
What can we do to prevent HCC cancer?
There are several things you can do to reduce your risk of developing this cancer:
- Get vaccinated against Hepatitis B. If you are already infected, get regular checkups with a doctor.
- If you suspect you have been infected with Hepatitis C, see a doctor immediately. This is a disease that can now be completely cured with medication.
- Control conditions related to fatty liver disease (MASLD). It is very important to control body weight through a healthy diet and exercise.
- Avoid excessive alcohol consumption completely.
- If you smoke, stop immediately.
When should I see a doctor? What questions should I ask?
If you have the symptoms mentioned above for more than two weeks, or if your symptoms are getting worse, see a doctor immediately. If you are in a risk group, do not skip the tests your doctor prescribes. Remember, the earlier this disease is detected, the more likely it is that treatment will be successful.
Here are some important questions to ask your doctor:
* How well is my liver working?
* What stage is my cancer in?
* Can this be cured completely?
* What treatment options do I have?
* What are the side effects of each treatment?
* How will treatment affect my daily life?
* How do we know if the treatment is successful?
It's normal to feel scared, anxious, and confused when you learn about a serious illness like HCC. But you're not alone in this journey. Understand your treatments and their side effects. Talk openly with your family, friends, and doctor. This can be a difficult journey, but with the right knowledge, support, and treatment, you can cope.
Take-Home Message
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common and fastest-growing type of liver cancer.
- This condition often occurs in people who already have liver disease, especially cirrhosis.
- Be aware of symptoms such as heaviness under the right rib cage, jaundice, abdominal swelling, and weight loss. If these persist for more than two weeks, see a doctor.
- Hepatitis B/C, excessive alcohol consumption, and fatty liver disease (MASLD) are the main risk factors.
- If the disease is detected early, a complete cure can be achieved through surgery or liver transplantation.
- If you have any doubts or questions about this, never ignore them. It is very important to talk openly with your doctor.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න