Signs of liver cancer every woman should know
The liver is responsible for constantly filtering the blood flowing in the body. It also converts nutrients and medications that are absorbed in the digestive system into chemicals ready for use. The liver has other important functions, including removing toxins and other chemicals from the blood and turning them into secretions.
It is easy for cancer cells to reach the liver, as all the blood flowing in the body passes through it.
Therefore, it is possible for the liver to develop a primary cancer that forms on its own, or a cancer that forms in other places in the body and then spreads to the liver. In most cases, liver cancer is a secondary or metastatic cancer, which means the source of the cancer is elsewhere in the body.
In various parts of the world, primary liver cancer affects men twice as often as women. It is the most common cancer among men, and often affects people over the age of 50.
Types of liver tumors
The liver is made up of several types of cells, so several tumors can affect it.
Some tumors are benign, while others are malignant tumors that can spread to other places in the body. Different tumors develop for different reasons and are treated in different ways, and the chances of recovery depend on the type of tumor. Below is an explanation of these tumors. :
- Benign liver tumors
The most common benign liver tumors are:
Hemangioma.
Adenocarcinoma of the liver.
Focal tumor-like process.
bag.
Leiomyoma.
Lymphoma.
fibroma.
The treatment of these tumors differs from the treatment of cancerous tumors. Sometimes, when they cause pain or bleeding, they need to be removed surgically.
- Types of liver cancer
Types of liver cancer are:
Hepatocellular carcinoma.
Bile duct cancer.
Symptoms of liver cancer
Symptoms that appear when suffering from liver cancer:
Yellowing and paleness of the skin and jaundice.
- Yellowing of the whites of the eyes.
Anorexia.
Unexplained weight loss.
Feeling tired and exhausted.
A mass in the right side of the abdomen.
Feeling flu symptoms.
Causes and risk factors of liver cancer
Primary liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) usually affects people with:
Congenital malformations of the liver.
People who drink alcohol excessively.
People with chronic infections caused by other diseases, such as hepatitis C and B, hemochromatosis, and cirrhosis.
More than 50% of people with primary liver cancer develop cirrhosis due to the factors mentioned above.
Carcinogens responsible for liver cancer
Several carcinogens are among the most important causes of primary liver cancer, including:
Some herbicides.
- Some chemicals, such as vinyl chloride and arsenic.
Smoking, especially when combined with consuming large amounts of alcoholic beverages.
Alpha toxin, a carcinogen produced by a certain type of fungus that can cause disease. Alpha toxins are sometimes found in wheat, pistachios, rice, corn, or soy.
Other risk factors
Other factors that affect the incidence of liver cancer include:
Patient’s gender.
the weight.
Use of stimulants.
Complications of liver cancer
Complications of liver cancer include:
Anemia.
hemorrhage.
Portal hypertension.
High levels of calcium in the blood.
Hepatic encephalopathy.
Diagnosis of liver cancer
It is not common to perform broad imaging tests on all patients for early detection of primary liver cancer, but it is possible for people at high risk of developing the disease to have these tests. However, research has not determined whether imaging is appropriate and effective for all patients.
In order to diagnose liver cancer, you must first rule out other diseases that may have the same symptoms.