Liver cancer is the incessant growth of cancerous cells in the liver. It can occur because of two reasons, firstly, cancer originating in the liver, and secondly, if cancer from any other part of the body spreads and reaches the liver. The former is called primary cancer and the latter is regarded as metastasis.

Therefore, if cancer has originated in the liver, then only is it termed as liver cancer.

Causes of liver cancer
The most common cause of liver cancer is believed to be excessive alcohol intake. However, there are other reasons too. Cases of cirrhosis are also common which gives rise to liver cancer. Another frequent reason for it is Hepatitis C.

Although there is no particular reason for the cause of liver cancer, the risk factors are many. For instance, people with type 2 diabetes who also have hepatitis are vulnerable to the growth of cancer in the liver.

Additionally, prolonged exposure to aflatoxins and low immunity of individuals are key drivers of liver cancer. Cancer is hereditary in nature, so if a family member has had cancer, then one is likely to derive the disease from them too.

Symptoms of liver cancer
It is very difficult to identify cancer in the initial stages, as the individual will not show any signs and symptoms of liver cancer. However, with the advancement of cancer, the signs gradually show up and they are as mentioned below:

• There is a loss of appetite in most individuals. Alongside, the patient might also start to feel fuller just after a small meal.
• The person will experience nausea and vomiting.
• There is an acute pain in the right side of the upper abdomen.
• The tumor in the liver releases certain chemicals or substances that induce an itching sensation in the whole body of the patient. In case, the itching becomes severe, you should immediately check for other forms of cancer.
• Since the patient loses out on hunger; he or she is likely to experience fatigue and weakness.
• There is discoloration of the skin, usually yellow in color. Even the white part of the eyes becomes yellow in color. This condition is generally termed as jaundice.
• The stool becomes white and chalky.

Treatment of liver cancer
Liver cancer has a very low survival rate to date. There are no probable curable measures after one is diagnosed with cancer. Yet certain treatments like chemotherapy and radiation, which are some common methods, can be implemented to treat liver cancer as well.

• Liver transplant:  If the cancer is confined to the liver and has not spread to other adjacent organs, a liver transplant can be an option. However, it is only done if most part of the liver is already damaged.
• Radiation:  This treatment involves the use of high powered X-rays to kill the cancerous cells. As a result of which, they are not able to multiply further or even spread to other parts. It is also used before surgeries to shrink tumors.
• Chemotherapy:  In this treatment, certain anti-cancer drugs are directly injected into the cancerous cells to destroy them fully. This helps in preventing the cells to divide further.
• Ablative therapy:  This therapy involves the injection of substances like laser, alcohol or radio waves into the tumor directly.