The liver is one of the most important organs in our body, and it’s located just above your abdomen, on the right side.  In India, liver cancer is becoming one of the most rapidly spreading cancers.

In India, there are approximately 3-5 cases of liver cancer per 100,000 people, resulting in 30,000 to 50,000 new cases per year. However, if caught early enough, liver cancer can be successfully treated.

Here’s some information about liver cancer that you might find surprising.

1. A biopsy is not always necessary to diagnose liver cancer

Despite the fact that tumour biopsies are the gold standard for many types of cancer, hepatologists (liver specialists) rarely use them to confirm a liver cancer diagnosis. In about 10% of cases, biopsies are performed, but most doctors make their diagnoses based on what they see during imaging exams.

A liver biopsy has risks, such as causing the tumour to release more cancer cells or missing the tumour entirely if it’s difficult to reach. If the doctor misses the tumour during the biopsy, the patient may receive a false negative test, which means the test revealed no cancer.

In certain cases, if surgery is the treatment option, the oncologist sends a sample of the tumour to a pathologist for a detailed report on the cancer type and cancer cells.

2. Liver cancer is a Slow-growing Cancer

It’s common for people to think of liver cancer as a rapidly growing cancer. This could be due to the fact that it is often diagnosed late, making it appear as if the person has lost a lot of time until it is finally diagnosed.

But, researches show that tumours in the liver double in size every 90 days. A 1-centimetre (less than half an inch) liver cancer tumour will grow to 2 centimetres (less than half an inch) in 90 days, and so on without treatment.

3. Liver Cancer Is Closely Associated With Cirrhosis

Let us first understand what liver cirrhosis means. Cirrhosis is the stage where there is scarring of the liver tissue (fibrosis). Cirrhosis of the liver is linked to a higher risk of developing primary liver cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society, the majority of people with liver cancer, whether previously diagnosed or not, already have cirrhosis. Most people associate liver cirrhosis with excessive alcohol consumption, but cirrhosis can be caused by a variety of factors.

Excessive alcohol consumption, as well as viruses such as hepatitis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, infections, medications, obesity, and others, can cause it.

4. Liver cancer symptoms appear after the tumour is progressed

Liver cancer is often diagnosed unintentionally when the doctor suggests imaging tests for other reasons. However, liver cancer is usually discovered after symptoms appear and the cancer has progressed quite far.

Unintentional weight loss, fatigue, feeling full even after small meals, abdominal or stomach pain, swollen abdomen, and jaundice (yellow colour to the skin and whites of the eyes) are all symptoms of liver cancer.

Keeping a close watch on these symptoms and visiting a doctor when you feel any of these symptoms will help to rule out liver cancer or help in early detection and treatment.

5. Early-stage Liver can be Treated with Liver Transplant

If the patient is strong enough and eligible, liver transplantation is one of the best liver cancer treatments in India. For a transplant to work, cancer must still be in its early stages.

Surgery to remove the tumour; radiofrequency ablation, which heats and destroys cancer cells; cryoablation, which freezes and destroys cancer cells; chemotherapy injected directly into the tumour; radiation beads surgically implanted in the liver; radiation therapy; targeted therapy; and immunotherapy are some of the other treatments.

For more information and queries related to liver cancer treatment, liver cancer treatment cost, to book appointments and connect with the best liver cancer oncologists, visit our website www.cancerrounds.com.

Liver cancer is not an uncommon cancer that affects liver. It is a vital organ that filter impurities and produces bile.

Liver cancer signs and symptoms in its early stages may be dismissible. But as the cancer stage advances the varied symptoms are presented that are different in each case.

Primary liver cancer starts in the liver and secondary liver cancer begins elsewhere. Bot are presented with the same symptoms.

Early warning signs of liver cancer that are easily dismissible may differ for each person, and include:

1. Pain in the upper abdomen on the right side or near the right shoulder blade

2. Abdominal swelling or bloating in the abdomen that develops as a mass

3. Enlarged liver / hepatomegaly

4. Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)

Other signs and symptoms of liver cancer include:

1. Fever

2. Dark urine

3. Pale/chalky stools

4. Easy bruising or bleeding

5. Fatigue

6. Weakness

7. Unexplained and unintentional weight loss

8. Poor appetite

9. Enlarged spleen felt as a mass under the ribs on the left side

10. Feeling of fullness after eating a small amount of food

11. Nausea

12. Vomiting

They are considered to be easily dismissible as many of these symptoms can be associated with other types of benign liver infections or diseases also.

When talking about the case of liver cancer, the symptoms may continue to evolve and worsen without supportive treatment. It is due to the tumor that grows and the disease advances in toto.

Yes, it is significant to consult your healthcare provider if you notice potential symptoms, -for an accurate diagnosis.

It is essential to mention here that certain rare diagnosis that have potential to develop as a result of liver cancer, especially in the early stages of the disease are referred as Paraneoplastic syndromes. The awareness of these symptoms may help with diagnosing liver cancer. Some paraneoplastic syndromes related to liver cancer are mentioned here:

1. Hypercalcemia (high blood calcium levels)

2. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels)

3. Erythrocytosis (high red blood cell count)

4. Hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol levels)

5. Gynecomastia (breast enlargement)

6. Shrinking of testicles in men

It is well said that just based on symptoms alone, it is not appropriate to detect liver cancer early. And we all are aware that cancer in early stages is often easier to treat.

The guidelines recommend that for the individuals with higher risk of developing liver cancer, screening is beneficial. India’s best oncologist team with Cancer Round believe that a thorough and accurate cancer diagnosis is the first step in developing a liver cancer treatment plan.

Our team of oncologists being liver cancer experts use a variety of tests and tools for diagnosing liver cancer, and developing individualized treatment plan for every case is accomplished by multidisciplinary action involving esteemed decision of Tumor board.

Diagnostic work up for liver cancer may include:

Biopsy by choosing several biopsy methods, including fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy, core needle biopsy or laparoscopic biopsy.

Bone scan when patient is experiencing bone pain or blood tests reveal elevated calcium levels, then the team of oncologist may perform a bone scan to detect whether liver cancer has spread to the bone.

A CT scan can provide precise information about the size, shape and position of tumors.

CT scans may also be used to guide a biopsy needle precisely into a suspected tumor (CT-guided needle biopsy).

To diagnose liver cancer, variety of liver function tests to assess the function of the liver by measuring the level of certain proteins or waste products in the blood is mandatory. These tests may also be used to develop a treatment plan and evaluate your response to it that means to follow the curse of treat predicting the treatment prognosis.

MRI scans may help distinguish between benign and malignant tumors.

PET test may help doctors determine whether the liver cancer has spread to areas such as the bones or lungs.

Ultrasound is generally recommended every six to 12 months to screen for liver cancer and assess the progress of treatment.

To conclude this informative topic we want to mention that the Liver cancer treatment in India include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, interventional radiology, gastroenterology procedures and targeted therapy, and/or immunotherapy. Liver Cancer Treatment Cost in India AVG range in 3,75,000/-4,50,000/ INR.

For more details please contact us.