The liver is the largest gland in the human body. It performs the major functions of the digestive systems like flushing out toxins in the body, producing bile, and other digestive processes. When the liver amasses a lot of cells in one place, a tumor is formed. The cells quickly spread to other places in the liver causing cancer to be more severe and advanced. There are two types of Liver Cancers, Primary and Secondary. Primary Liver Cancer is when the cancerous cells begin in the liver. These might or might not spread to other organs. Secondary Cancer is when the cancerous cells spread to the liver from other organs in the body.
Liver Cancer doesn’t show any major symptoms in its initial stages, which makes it difficult to diagnose. When the symptoms appear, they mostly include the following
- Abdominal tenderness or major discomfort in the abdominal area.
- An illness called jaundice, in which yellowing of eyes and skin, occurs.
- Bleeding and bruising easily
- Unexplained weakness and fatigue
- Upper abdominal pain
- Unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite
- A hard lump in the right side of the body, felt under the ribs, that indicates that the tumor has gotten bigger
There might be other signs that Liver Cancer shows but go unnoticed. But upon the slightest visibility of symptoms, it is advisable to consult expert Oncologists like Premier Oncology Consultants. They help detect and diagnose the Cancer with their advanced medical equipment and the latest procedures. The initial diagnosis or the prognosis involves the physical examination of checking the body for any lumps or tumors. Blood samples are also taken to run blood tests to check for a substance called AFP. Any relevance for Hepatitis B or C is also checked for. In addition to these procedures, a series of other complicated tests are performed to check for the exact location, size, and severity of the tumor. Laparoscopy, Radiation, and Biopsy are a few common and known methods.
It is very important to look out for any signs of illnesses that might arise due to tumors. Early detection means early treatment before the advancement of cancer.