The liver constantly filters blood circulating throughout the body, converting nutrients and medications absorbed from the digestive tract into biologically active compounds (compounds that can be directly used by body cells). The liver carries out numerous vital functions, including the elimination of impurities and other chemical waste substances from the bloodstream and modifying them for easy elimination.
Many types of liver cancers may develop because the liver is made up of several types of cells. Each type of liver cancer is treated differently depending on its cause. The outlook for recovery from the treatment depends on the type of cancer. Therefore, it is necessary to get liver cancer treatment from the right doctor who has expertise in treating a wide range of liver cancer types. Scroll down to explore liver cancer treatment in Mumbai.
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What is Liver Cancer?
Abnormal changes in the genetic makeup of the cells lead to their unchecked multiplication, ultimately causing cancer. Cancer that starts in your liver's cells is known as liver cancer. It can be challenging to detect liver cancer early because it often presents with symptoms such as weight loss and stomach pain, which are similar to those seen in many other, less serious medical conditions.Read Also: Normal Liver Size: What is the Average Measurement in Centimeters
What are the Types of Liver Cancer?
The following are the types of liver cancer:| Basis of Distinction | Type | Sub-Type | Description |
| Ability to spread | Benign tumors | Noncancerous growths that usually remain confined to the liver and do not spread to other parts of the body. | |
| Malignant tumors | Cancerous growths that can invade nearby tissues and spread to other organs. | ||
| Origin of cancer | Primary liver cancer | Cancer that starts in the liver itself. | |
| Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) | The most common type of primary liver cancer. It develops from the main liver cells (hepatocytes). | ||
| Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHC) | Cancer that starts in the bile ducts located within the liver. It accounts for about 10%–20% of primary liver cancers. | ||
| Hepatic angiosarcoma | A very rare and aggressive cancer that begins in the blood vessel lining of the liver. It accounts for about 1% of primary liver cancer cases and may also affect other organs. | ||
| Secondary liver cancer | Cancer that begins in another part of the body and later spreads to the liver. |
What are the Causes of Liver Cancer?
Liver cancer develops after the DNA of healthy liver cells undergoes abnormal changes. Our genes contain the genetic information that instructs our cells on how to function, when to multiply, and when to stop multiplying. For instance, oncogenes facilitate cellular growth and division. Tumor suppressor genes prevent cells from proliferating excessively. They also ensure that cells undergo a "cell death process" when their cell cycle ends.When our DNA undergoes mutation or alteration, our cells receive abnormal instructions for multiplication. Certain medical conditions and other factors can impact the DNA of your liver and raise your chances of developing liver cancer.
Read Also: Hepatitis Symptoms: Causes, Risk Factors, Types, & Warning Signs You Must Know
What are the Risk Factors of Liver Cancer?
The main risk factor of liver cancer is hepatitis, which is caused by infectious viruses and increases the risk of developing it. This is because these infections tend to cause liver cirrhosis, which can later cause cancer. The following are the other risk factors of liver cancer:- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Metabolically-dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)
- Type 2 diabetes
- Obesity
- Tobacco use
What are the Symptoms of Liver Cancer?
The following are the symptoms that indicate liver cancer:- Dark-colored urine
- Grey or pale stool
- Unusual bruising
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Hard lump on the right side of the body, just below the ribs
- Skin itching
- Poor appetite
- Unexplained weight loss
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Upper abdominal pain on the right side of the body
- Swelling in the abdomen
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes)
What Tests Help Make a Liver Cancer Diagnosis?
The following are the tests that help in establishing a liver cancer diagnosis:- Angiogram for the examination of the blood vessels of the liver
- Blood tests, such as liver function tests
- CT scan to have a clear idea of the liver tumor size and location
- ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography) test
- Liver ultrasound
- MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
- Liver biopsy
What are the Advanced Liver Cancer Treatment Options in Mumbai?
The following are the advanced treatment options for liver cancer in Mumbai:- Chemotherapy (drugs used to destroy cancer cells)
- Chemoembolization (chemotherapy given directly to the tumor with blood supply blockage)
- Immunotherapy (therapy to boost the immune system to fight cancer)
- Radiation therapy (use of high-energy rays to kill cancer cells)
- Radioembolization (targeted radiation delivered to eliminate liver tumor cells)
- Targeted therapy (drugs administered to hamper specific cancer pathways)
- Ablation (tumor destruction without surgery using heat, cold, or chemical agents)
- Hepatectomy (surgical removal of part of the liver)
- Liver transplantation (replacement of the diseased liver with a healthy one taken from a donor)
Conclusion
Primary liver cancer is a serious and potentially fatal condition. You might be unaware that you have liver cancer until it progresses to an advanced stage. This results in limited available treatment options. The doctor's main objective of treatment at advanced stages is to prevent the progression of cancer and manage the symptoms, improving the quality of life of the patient. Therefore, selecting the doctors who can provide you with personalized care remains the most crucial aspect of the treatment.Get personalized advice from the best liver cancer doctors in Mumbai at the Asian Heart Institute. Book your consultation today.
FAQs
Q1: Can liver cancer be detected through blood tests alone?A: Blood tests may indicate liver abnormalities or elevated tumor markers, but imaging scans and sometimes a biopsy are required for an accurate diagnosis.
Q2: How fast does liver cancer grow?
A: The growth rate varies based on the cancer type, stage, and existing liver disease. Some tumors grow slowly, while others can progress more rapidly.
Q3: Is liver cancer hereditary?
A: Liver cancer itself is rarely inherited, but conditions like hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or cirrhosis—which increase cancer risk—can run in families.
Q6: What is the survival rate for liver cancer?
A: Survival depends on early detection, cancer stage, liver function, and response to treatment. Outcomes are generally better when diagnosed early.
Q5: Can liver cancer be treated without surgery?
A: Yes, many patients are treated using non-surgical options such as ablation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy, depending on the stage.
