Hepatocellular carcinoma (patient information): Difference between revisions
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==How do I know if I have Hepatocellular carcinoma and what are the symptoms of Hepatocellular carcinoma?== | ==How do I know if I have Hepatocellular carcinoma and what are the symptoms of Hepatocellular carcinoma?== | ||
In it's earliest stages hepatocellular carcinoma does not cause any symptoms. When the tumors grow larger, people may notice one or more of the following symptoms: | |||
:*Abdominal pain and vague abdominal fullness: At first the location may | :*Abdominal pain and vague abdominal fullness: At first the location of the abdominal pain you are experiencing may be isolated on the upper right part of your abdomen. It is usually relatively mild pain or no pain at all that is present with this life-threatening condition. With the development of the cancer, abdominal pain is usually persistent. | ||
:*Abdominal lump: People can not find any lump at the beginning of the disease. When the | :*Abdominal lump: People can not find any lump at the beginning of the disease. When the tumor begins to enlarge, the lump may be obvious in the abdominal region. | ||
:*[[Jaundice]] and itching: This is caused by hepatocellular necrosis and obstruction of bile in | :*[[Jaundice]] and itching: This is caused by hepatocellular necrosis and obstruction of bile in the bile ducts. | ||
:*Nausea and vomiting: Hepatocellular carcinoma disturbs the normal functions of | :*Nausea and vomiting: Hepatocellular carcinoma disturbs the normal functions of digestion. | ||
:*Vomiting blood: This symptom is | :*Vomiting blood: This symptom is attributed to many factors such dysfunction of the liver and spleen. | ||
:*Loss of appetite | :*Loss of appetite | ||
:*General decline in health | :*General decline in health | ||
:*Weakness or fatigue | :*Weakness or fatigue | ||
:*Fever | :*Fever | ||
Revision as of 16:05, 20 July 2009
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What is Hepatocellular carcinoma
The liver is the largest internal organ which lies under the right side of your ribcage just beneath your right lung. It is a very important organ for digestion and metabolism. Primary liver cancer starts in the liver. Metastatic liver cancer starts somewhere else and spreads to your liver. It is hard to detect hepatocellular carcinoma in it's early stages. Frequent symptoms include pain and lump in the right abdomen, yellowing of the eyes and skin, marasmus and fatigue. Possible treatments include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Prognosis is not good for most hepatocellular carcinoma patients.
How do I know if I have Hepatocellular carcinoma and what are the symptoms of Hepatocellular carcinoma?
In it's earliest stages hepatocellular carcinoma does not cause any symptoms. When the tumors grow larger, people may notice one or more of the following symptoms:
- Abdominal pain and vague abdominal fullness: At first the location of the abdominal pain you are experiencing may be isolated on the upper right part of your abdomen. It is usually relatively mild pain or no pain at all that is present with this life-threatening condition. With the development of the cancer, abdominal pain is usually persistent.
- Abdominal lump: People can not find any lump at the beginning of the disease. When the tumor begins to enlarge, the lump may be obvious in the abdominal region.
- Jaundice and itching: This is caused by hepatocellular necrosis and obstruction of bile in the bile ducts.
- Nausea and vomiting: Hepatocellular carcinoma disturbs the normal functions of digestion.
- Vomiting blood: This symptom is attributed to many factors such dysfunction of the liver and spleen.
- Loss of appetite
- General decline in health
- Weakness or fatigue
- Fever
Infections or other health problems may also cause these symptoms. Only a doctor can tell for sure. A person with any of these symptoms should tell his/her doctor so that problems can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.
Who is at risk for Hepatocellular carcinoma?
There are some factors may increase the risk of resulting in hepatocellular carcinoma. These risk factors are outlined in the table below:
- Chronic viral hepatitis
- Cirrhosis
- Inherited metabolic diseases such as hemochromatosis, tyrosinemia, alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency, porphyria cutanea tarda, glycogen storage diseases, and Wilson disease.
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Aflatoxins
- Anabolic steroids
- Arsenic
- Vinyl chloride and thorium dioxide
- Obesity