The liver is one of the most crucial organs in the body. And an unhealthy lifestyle or unhealthy eating habits can cause stress on the liver. This can lead to several different types of cancer in the organ. Cancer that starts in the liver is more common than cancer that begins in some other part of the body that moves to the liver later. Here’s what you ought to know about this disease.

Causes
The cause of liver cancer is still unknown; however, certain factors increase the risk.

• Chronic viral hepatitis
  The risk for liver cancer increases if a person has a chronic infection with Hepatitis B virus or Hepatitis C virus.
• Cirrhosis
  Cirrhosis is an irreversible condition that causes scar tissue to form in the liver, increasing the risk of developing liver cancer.
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
  This disease leads to fat accumulation in the liver, and people affected by this condition might have liver cancer.
• Excessive alcohol consumption
  Alcohol abuse can lead to irreversible liver damage and increase the risk of liver cancer.
• Type 2 diabetes
  People with type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop liver cancer.
• Exposure to aflatoxins
  Aflatoxins are created by a particular fungus that grows on crops such as wheat, peanuts, soybeans, corn, and nuts.

Symptoms
Though the symptoms may not be apparent in the early stages, the patient may begin to experience symptoms with the growth of a tumor.

• Pain in the abdomen
  People with liver cancer may have pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen on the right side. The pain might also be near the right shoulder blade and often remains consistent.
• Abdominal mass or swelling
  Some people may feel a hard lump just below the rib cage on the right side. This mass may cause pain, and there might be swelling in the region.
• Jaundice
  Jaundice is a disease that causes yellowing of the eyes and skin. The build-up of bile salts also causes dark urine and pale stools.
• Bloating and shortness of breath
  The fluid build-up in the abdomen may feel like bloating at first and is an indicator of liver cancer. With time, the fluid build-up in the abdomen can also push upward on the lungs causing shortness of breath.
• Unintentional weight loss or weight gain
  Some people may lose weight without a change in food consumption or exercise, while others may experience rapid and unexpected weight gain.
• Nausea and vomiting
  Nausea and vomiting are common symptoms of liver cancer and may occur at all stages of the disease.
• Fatigue
  Cancer-related fatigue is different from general fatigue and is one of the symptoms of liver cancer.
• Loss of appetite
  Feeling full even when eating small meals is a sign of liver cancer.

Diagnosis
Some tests used to diagnose this disease include the following:

• Blood tests
  Blood tests will check for the presence of liver function abnormalities.
• Imaging tests
  Imaging tests, such as an MRI or CT scan, will provide clear images of the size and spread of cancer.
• Angiogram
  An angiogram provides an X-ray picture of the blood vessels of the liver.
• Laparoscopy
  A long, flexible tube attached to a camera is inserted inside the stomach area in this procedure. This helps to observe the liver and surrounding area.
• Biopsy
  A small piece of liver tissue is removed to make a cancer diagnosis. The results determine whether the tumor is cancerous or noncancerous.

Treatment
The treatment may depend on certain factors such as the patient’s general health, size, type of liver cancer, and cancer stage. Doctors may use one or more treatment methods, including the following:

Surgery
Surgery may be ideal for liver cancer that is found in the early stage and has not spread. The surgery involves removing part or all of the liver. To removal the liver, a liver transplant surgery will be done to replace it with a healthy liver.

Ablation therapy
Ablation therapy uses different techniques to destroy cancer cells, such as radiofrequency ablation and microwave therapy.

Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy uses energy similar to X-rays to destroy cancer cells.

Chemotherapy
It involves using drugs to kill cancer cells and stop them from growing.

Targeted therapy
This therapy uses drugs or other substances to block the genes that play a role in cancer’s growth.

Immunotherapy
The therapy uses drugs that direct the body’s immune system to kill cancer cells.

Meals
To fight liver cancer, it is essential to eat foods that provide the most nutrition. Your doctor may recommend changes to your meal depending on the type and severity of the condition.

People with liver cancer should incorporate various nutrient-rich foods into their meals. A meal low in fat and sugar and high in fiber is usually ideal for most people. For those with nausea symptoms, eating smaller snacks and meals more frequently can help get enough calories and nutrients.

Liver cancer cannot be prevented entirely, but early detection improves the chances of long-term survival.