Liver cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world, though it is rare in the United States, according to MayoClinic.com. It begins in the cells of the liver, the largest organ in your body. If your doctor diagnoses liver cancer, it is important to take the right steps to get the proper treatment.
Physiology
Your liver lies just below your right lung, underneath your rib cage. The liver breaks down and stores nutrients from the small intestine, makes bile for use during digestion, helps remove wastes and toxins from the body and makes clotting factors necessary for normal blood clotting. Because the liver is comprised of so many kinds of cells, several different types of tumors can form. Each type has an independent cause and a separate method of treatment.
Types of Liver Cancer
Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common type of liver cancer. It begins in the liver cells called hepatocytes, which comprise the majority of your liver cells. Bile duct cancers, or cholangiocarcinomas, begin in the tubes that carry bile to the gallbladder, called the bile ducts. Bile duct cancers account for 10 to 20 percent of liver cancer cases, according to the National Cancer Society. Rare types of liver cancer include angiosarcomas and hemangiosarcomas, which begin in the liver's blood vessels, and hepatoblastoma, which is liver cancer that begins in children.
Risk Factors
Although it is impossible to determine who will develop liver cancer and who will not, several risk factors increase your chances. Heavy alcohol use, which the American Cancer Society defines as two or more drinks per day for several years, significantly increases your risk of liver cancer. This risk increases with the amount of alcoholic beverages you drink. Iron storage disease, hepatitis, obesity and diabetes can also increase your risk of developing liver cancer. Exposure to aflatoxin, a harmful substance that some molds produce, can also increase your chances.
Treatment and Nutritional Support
The proper treatment depends on the type of liver cancer as well as your individual characteristics and health. Work closely with your health care team to determine the right treatment for you. Nutrition is also an important aspect during and after cancer treatment. Treatment for liver cancer can decrease your body's ability to digest food and absorb nutrients. In addition, treatment may cause side effects such as decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, which make it difficult to eat. Calories, protein and the right vitamins and minerals are essential for maintaining your energy and healing. Work with your dietitian to develop a meal plan that can help you meet your nutritional goals without causing too much discomfort.
