What is hepatocellular carcinoma?
Liver cancers are malignant tumors that originate from the liver’s own tissue. They are more common in regions where Hepatitis B is prevalent and occur more frequently in men than in women. Hepatocellular carcinoma, which arises from hepatocytes—the functional cells of the liver—accounts for approximately 90% of liver cancers.
What are the causes of hepatocellular carcinoma?
Hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common type of liver cancer, is more frequently seen in individuals with long-term liver disease or those infected with Hepatitis B or C. It is also more common in people who consume excessive alcohol or have fat accumulation in the liver.
What are the symptoms of hepatocellular carcinoma?
Symptoms of hepatocellular carcinoma include pain and tenderness in the upper right abdomen, easy bruising and bleeding, abdominal enlargement, jaundice in the skin and eyes, and unexplained weight loss.
How is hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosed?
To diagnose hepatocellular carcinoma, blood tests to assess liver function, abdominal CT and MRI imaging, abdominal ultrasonography, and liver biopsy are used. Additionally, an alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) test is performed.
How is hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosed?
The treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma is planned according to the tumor’s size and location, liver function, and the patient’s overall health. Surgery is the most beneficial method for patients, involving the removal of the liver portion containing the tumor or a liver transplant. For tumors not suitable for surgery or for patients who cannot undergo surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, tumor ablation methods, or nuclear medicine treatments can be preferred.