Hepatocellular Carcinoma (Liver Cancer)

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a type of cancer that begins in the liver. Understanding its symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options is vital for early detection and effective management.

What is Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)?

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of primary liver cancer. It originates in the main liver cells, known as hepatocytes, and typically develops in individuals with chronic liver disease and cirrhosis.

The liver is a resilient organ, but long-term damage can cause healthy cells to become abnormal and grow out of control, forming a tumor. The primary goal of modern liver care is to monitor at-risk individuals closely to detect HCC at its earliest, most treatable stage.

Causes and Risk Factors?

HCC rarely occurs in a healthy liver. In most cases, it is the final stage of a long process of chronic liver injury and cirrhosis.

The most significant risk factors for developing HCC are:

Long-term infection with hepatitis B or hepatitis C is a leading cause of HCC.

Any condition that leads to advanced scarring of the liver significantly increases cancer risk, including cirrhosis from:

A poison produced by a mold that can grow on improperly stored crops like peanuts and corn.

Certain genetic conditions can increase the risk of liver cancer.

Symptoms of Liver Cancer

In the early stages, liver cancer often causes no noticeable symptoms. This is why regular screening for individuals with known risk factors is so critical.

As a tumor grows, it can cause symptoms that may include:

  • Unexplained weight loss.
  • Loss of appetite or feeling full after a small meal.
  • Pain in the upper abdomen.
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Worsening of Chronic Liver Disease Symptoms: Increased fatigue, abdominal swelling (ascites), or yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice).
  • A Palpable Mass: A hard lump that can be felt below the rib cage on the right side.

Diagnosing Liver Cancer

A prompt and accurate diagnosis is essential for creating an effective treatment plan.

The diagnostic process often includes:

High-quality imaging is key. A multiphase CT scan or MRI of the abdomen can usually identify liver tumors and provide critical information about their size, location, and blood supply. The characteristic appearance of HCC on these scans is often enough to confirm a diagnosis without a biopsy.

A blood test for alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), a protein often elevated in patients with HCC, can provide valuable information. Liver function tests also help evaluate your liver's health.

While not always necessary, a biopsy may be performed if imaging results are inconclusive. A small sample of the tumor is removed with a needle and examined under a microscope to confirm the cancer diagnosis.

Treating Liver Cancer

The treatment for HCC is highly personalized and depends on the size and number of tumors, the health of the remaining liver (the degree of cirrhosis), and the patient's overall health.

Treatment options may include:

Curative Therapies (for early-stage cancer):

Removing the portion of the liver containing the tumor.

Replacing the entire diseased liver with a healthy donor liver.

Destroying the tumor using radiofrequency ablation or cryoablation, delivered via a needle inserted through the skin.

Palliative Therapies (to control cancer growth):

Chemotherapy is delivered directly to the tumor, and its blood supply is blocked off.

Tiny radioactive beads are delivered to the tumor's blood supply to destroy cancer cells.

Advanced oral medications and IV infusions that target specific cancer cell pathways or use the body's immune system to fight cancer.

Find Care for Liver Cancer in Westlake or Brooklyn, OH

Facing a liver cancer diagnosis requires a team of dedicated experts you can trust. The specialists at North Shore Gastroenterology are here to provide cutting-edge care with the compassion and support you deserve.

Contact us today at (440) 808-1212 or request an appointment online to schedule a visit.