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CANCER TYPES

Liver

What is liver cancer?

Liver cancer is cancer that starts in the cells of your liver. There are many types of cancers that can form in the liver, the most common being hepatocellular carcinoma and other types such as intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and hepatoblastoma.

Liver Cancer Symptoms

  • Weight loss – losing more than 10% of your body weight without explanation
  • Swollen abdomen – This could be from the liver growth or because of fluids building up in the abdomen
  • Yellowish skin – jaundice is the yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes
  • Dark colored urine
  • Loss of appetite over a period of time
  • Being sick
  • Feeling full or bloated after eating
  • Pain or discomfort in the abdomen
  • Itching
  • Sudden worsening of health
  • High temperature and sweating

Liver Cancer Causes

Although the exact cause of liver cancer is not known here are following risk factors that may contribute to its development:

  • Cirrhosis-scarring of the liver due to prior damage
  • Infection with hepatitis viruses – long term infection with hepatitis B or C
  • Smoking
  • Diabetes
  • Low immunity – HIV/AIDS are more likely to develop liver cancer
  • Anabolic steroid use – long term users of anabolic steroids are at a higher risk
  • Family history – people who have a primary relative diagnosed with liver cancer are 4 times more likely to develop liver cancer, according to a study