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Overview of Liver Cancer in India
The abnormal cells which multiply without regulation are the cancer cells. When it occurs in the liver, it will be liver cancer. Liver cancer has nearly tripled during the last thirty years. It is in the sixth position as the most prevalent cancer on the globe. The incidence rate of liver cancer among men and women in India is 4-7.5 and 1.2-2.2 per 100,000, respectively, every year. The primary liver cancer is the one that develops in the liver itself.
It has numerous subtypes, such as hepatocellular carcinoma, angiosarcoma, and hepatoblastoma. The other one is secondary liver cancer, which originates in other organs through spreading. According to some researchers, about half of the liver cancer cases across the world can be avoided through hepatitis vaccines and better hepatitis medications. Primary liver cancer has an excellent prognosis, and secondary liver cancer, on the other hand, is hard to treat on account of its complications.
Other medical ailments may complicate liver cancer survivors, but the problem could be the recurrence of cancer. Recurrence implies that cancer may recur. However, in certain instances, the tumour arises in a non-related section of the body, which is known as a second cancer.
The cost of Liver Cancer Treatment in India ranges between USD 2,700 and USD 3,600 for Indian patients. International patient service costs USD 4,050 to USD 4,950.
What Is Liver Cancer?
Cancer of the liver is an aggressive (malignant) tumour of the liver that threatens to take your life. Your body is the largest organ you have. It is also among the vital organs that, without the liver, no human being would survive.
Liver cancer is of two types: primary and secondary. The main cancer begins in your liver. Secondary cancer festers in your liver, transgressing to some other site in your body. This article will give an overview of primary liver cancer.
How Common is Liver Cancer?
Cancer of the liver is a somewhat widespread disease which is regarded as one of the significant health issues in the world at large. It is incredibly geographically varied in its prevalence, primarily because of the disparities in the risk factors that cause it, namely, chronic infections of hepatitis B and C, drinking alcohol, as well as exposure to aflatoxins. This is because, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), liver cancer is ranked among the causes of cancer-related mortality across the globe.
Types of Liver Cancer:
Primary liver cancer
Primary liver cancer is a type of cancer that originates in the liver. Primary liver cancer comes in various forms.
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
It is the most widespread form of adult cancer in the liver.
HCCs may grow in either of the two ways:
- Some initially start as one tumour, getting bigger. It may then develop in other sections of the liver.
- Others begin as multiple small nodules of cancer in the liver, not just one tumour. This is most common in individuals with cirrhosis (permanent liver damage), and this is the trend prevalent in the United States.
- The rest of this information is mostly on hepatocellular carcinoma, which is also known as liver cancer.
Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer)
Approximately 10-20 percent of liver cancers begin in the cells that line small bile ducts (tubes that transfer bile to the gallbladder). These are named intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas (cancers of the bile duct). The large majority of cholangiocarcinomas, however, originate outside the liver, in the bile ducts.
Although the remainder of this information primarily focuses on hepatocellular cancers, cholangiocarcinomas that occur within the liver are typically treated similarly.
Fibrolamellar carcinoma
Fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC) is a form of cancer used to refer to liver cancer; it was initially regarded as a variant of HCC but is now believed to be a distinct liver cancer. It is uncommon and usually occurs in women under the age of 35 (though it may also happen to older individuals). The other parts of the liver are often not sick.
FLC is easily removable through surgery.
Angiosarcoma and hemangiosarcoma
These are rare malignancies that originate in the cell lining of blood vessels in the liver. Other individuals exposed to vinyl chloride or thorium dioxide (Thorotrast) face the most significant risks of developing these cancers. They are also likely to promote the risk of such cancer diseases when there is exposure to arsenic or radium and a condition called hereditary hemochromatosis, which is a genetic disorder that causes too much absorption of iron in the body.
In most of these malignancies, no probable cause may be found. These tumours grow and, in most cases, are too extensive to be operable at the time of detection. The disease may be challenging to treat and slow it down using chemotherapy and radiation therapy. These cancers are managed in the same way as other sarcomas.
Hepatoblastoma
This is a rare kind of cancer that typically strikes youngsters under the age of four. Hepatoblastoma cells resemble foetal liver cells. Surgery and chemotherapy are effective treatments for about two out of every three children with these tumours; however, if the cancers have progressed outside of the liver, treatment becomes more difficult.
Secondary liver cancer
When liver cancer is discovered, it usually wasn't there to begin with. The liver can become the site of metastases for many malignancies that originate in other parts of the body, including the pancreas, colon, stomach, breast, or lung. Secondary liver cancer is the term used to describe cancer that has spread to the liver from its original (primary) location.
Their origin determines the treatment of these cancers. For instance, cancer that began in the lung and progressed to the liver is treated as lung cancer rather than liver cancer.
Secondary (metastatic) liver tumours are more prevalent than initial liver cancer in the US and Europe. For many regions of Asia and Africa, the opposite is true.
Benign liver Tumours
Non-cancerous (benign) liver tumours may not cause trouble when they are big, but they do not spill over to surround the neighbouring structures or spread to other parts of the body. They are curable through surgery in cases where treatment is required.
Hemangioma
Hemangiomas are the most typical harmless liver tumours that originate in the cells of blood vessels. A majority of liver hemangiomas do not exhibit any symptoms and do not require treatment. However, in the event of bleeding or other complications, they may need surgery to be removed.
Hepatic adenoma
Hepatic adenoma is one of the benign tumours which has a hepatocyte (primarily a kind of liver cell) origin.
This is because most of these tumours lack symptoms and will not require treatment. Others may later develop symptoms, which may include pain or a lump in the stomach (belly) or bleeding.
Doctors may recommend that the tumour be surgically removed, where possible, as there is a danger of the tumour bursting open (eventually causing significant blood loss), and there is also a slim chance of the tumour later developing into liver cancer.
These are more frequent in females than in men. The prevalence of one of these tumours is increased by the use of birth control pills, which is infrequent in women. Anabolic steroid intake by men can also lead to the development of these tumours. When such drugs are halted, a reduction in adenomas can occur.
Focal nodular hyperplasia
Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) is a benign tumour-like lesion consisting of several cell types (hepatocytes, bile duct cells, and connective tissue cells). FNH tumours may be painful, but they are benign. They are often difficult to distinguish from actual liver cancers, hence doctors may also undertake their removal in case of a non-clear diagnosis. More of the FNH tumours occur in women as compared to men.
Procedure:
The liver's state determines the course of treatment for liver cancer, the patient's general health, and the disease's stage. The typical treatment options are as follows:
Surgery
Removal of the tumour by surgery: It is also referred to as partial hepatectomy which is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of the tumour together with part of the liver. This alternative is usually applied to patients who have one tumour and have a good number of healthy liver.
Transplant surgery- The procedure is done by removing the damaged liver and replacing it with a healthy one taken from a donor. It is a treatment option that is frequently credited to the patients with early-stage liver cancer and cirrhosis.
Localised Treatments
Radiofrequency ablation (Heating cancer cells): This process exploits electrical currents to heat and kill cancer cells. The probe is inserted into the liver through the skin to transfer heat to the tumour.
Cryoablation (Freezing Cancer Cells): This therapy involves freezing cancer cells using extremely low temperatures. The freezing temperatures are applied to the cancer cells with the help of a cryoprobe, which is placed inside the liver.
Percutaneous ethanol injection (Injection of alcohol into the tumour): This is a process that entails an injection of pure alcohol into the liver tumour to kill cancerous cells. It is usually applied to small tumours.
Chemoembolization (Injection of chemotherapy drugs into the liver): This procedure involves injecting large doses of chemotherapy drugs directly into the liver tumour, thereby preventing the flow of blood to the cancerous cells and trapping the drug within the liver.
Radioembolization (Embolizing the liver with beads that have had radioactivity placed inside them): Tiny beads with radioactive material inside are placed in the blood vessels of the liver, where a specific amount of radiation is directed at the tumour, with radiation avoided in the healthy tissue surrounding the tumour.
Radiation Therapy
High-energy lasers are used in this treatment to target and kill cancer cells. When surgery is not an option, it is frequently employed and can be administered either internally (brachytherapy) or externally.
Targeted Drug Therapy
Targeted medications target particular anomalies found in cancer cells. Drugs like lenvatinib and sorafenib are used to treat liver cancer by blocking the signals that tumours require to grow.
Immuno Therapy
Immunotherapy helps the immune system recognise and attack cancer cells. Several immunotherapy drugs have been used to treat liver cancer, especially in later or advanced stages. Drugs such as nivolumab and pembrolizumab are examples.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill rapidly growing cells. It is often used as a treatment for cancer that has spread to other sites in the body (see section Treatment in several ways can be administered orally or by IV.).
Palliative Care
Palliative Care provides relief from the symptoms or stress of the disease and may include but is not limited to pain control, nutritional support, and measures of comfort to improve quality of life.
Best Doctors in India
Cost of Liver Cancer in India
|
Treatment |
Min |
Max |
|
Chemotherapy |
537.74 USD |
716.11 USD |
|
Partial hepatectomy |
4149 USD |
4838 USD |
|
Radiation Therapy |
544 USD |
907 USD |
|
Thermal Ablation |
1814 USD |
3024 USD |
|
Others |
2721 USD |
7560 USD |
Top Hospitals in India
Indications of Liver Cancer:
Since signs of liver cancer frequently do not show up until the disease is advanced, early detection can be difficult. Early detection of the warning signals, however, can result in timely diagnosis and treatment. The following are some typical symptoms and indicators to look out for:
- Sudden and unexplained weight loss: Unexplained weight loss may be the first sign of liver cancer, especially if the loss is significant and/or sudden.
- Loss of appetite: Loss of appetite, or a feeling of fullness after eating very little, may be a sign of liver problems.
- Pain in your upper abdomen: Pain in or discomfort (heaviness) in the upper right quadrant is a symptom of liver cancer.
- Frequent nausea and/or vomiting: Frequent nausea and/or vomiting can be symptoms of liver cancer.
- Dark urine: The colour of your urine changing to dark can be a significant warning sign of liver damage or dysfunction.
- Unexplained fever: An unexplained fever could be a sign of liver cancer (it’s not common, but it is rare).
- Accumulation of fluid in your abdomen: You may have an accumulation of fluid in your abdomen and/or an enlarged liver.
- Yellowing of the skin and/or whites of the eyes (known as jaundice): Jaundice is a physical sign indicating that there may be some problems with your liver and is a serious sign (acute liver failure).
- Bloating: If you have stomach trouble, feel bloated, or have a fullness in your stomach, liver cancer may be an underlying cause.
Identifying these signs and symptoms early can result in a timely diagnosis and treatment, ultimately leading to better outcomes. If you are experiencing any of these signs or symptoms, a medical professional should evaluate you for liver disease as soon as possible.
Risk Factors:
There are several causes and risk factors that can lead to liver cancer. Knowing these causes and risk factors can promote early intervention and prevention. Some of the causes and risk factors for liver cancer include:
Fatty liver (or Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease - NAFLD): Fatty liver is when fat accumulates in the liver. Fatty liver often develops with obesity and with metabolic syndrome (a cluster of several elevated risk factors due to obesity). Fatty liver can develop into nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (or NASH), which can develop into cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) and increase the risk of developing liver cancer.
Liver cirrhosis: Cirrhosis is the late stage of scarring (fibrosis) of the liver caused by many liver diseases and conditions, such as hepatitis and chronic alcohol abuse. Liver cirrhosis dramatically increases the risk of liver cancer because the damaged or injured liver cells can lead to the development of liver cancer.
Chronic liver infections (Hepatitis B & C): Hepatitis B and C are viral infections that cause inflammation of the liver, leading to chronic liver disease. Chronic infection with either the hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus is a significant risk factor for liver cancer. They cause inflammation and damage to the liver, which can cause chronic inflammation/injury to the liver leading to cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Diabetes: Diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes, is a metabolic disorder in which the body can't regulate blood sugar levels in a usual manner. People with diabetes have an increased likelihood of liver cancer in part due to the association with the risk of fatty liver disease and obesity.
Excessive alcohol use: Chronic heavy use of alcohol can lead to liver damage, liver inflammation, and liver cirrhosis. Chronic alcohol use is a significant risk factor for liver cancer since it can be damaging to the liver and cause cirrhosis.
Contact with chemicals, including Aflatoxins: Aflatoxins are toxic substances created by some types of mould on crops such as peanuts, corn, and grains. Long-term exposure to aflatoxins is a known risk factor for liver cancer, particularly in countries with high rates of food storage practices that do not prevent mould and fungus growth.
Obesity: Obesity is excessive body fat, which can cause many health problems, including various metabolic disorders. Obesity increases the risk of liver cancer mostly by its link to fatty liver disease, diabetes and some metabolic disorders.
Additional Risk Factors
- Genetic conditions: Some hereditary liver conditions (hemochromatosis and Wilson's disease) increase a person's risk of liver cancer.
- Tobacco use: Smoking is a risk factor for many cancers, including liver cancer.
- Gender: Men face a much higher risk of liver cancer than women. This may be partially related to men being at higher risk of hepatitis infections and drinking more alcohol than women.
- A family history of liver cancer: Having a relative with liver cancer may increase your risk, which suggests a hereditary factor.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
There live the blind texts separated they right at the coast of the Semantics.
Depending on the cancer's stage, general health, and reaction to treatment, the life expectancy for liver cancer varies greatly. The prognosis for liver cancer is often better when it is detected early; some individuals may survive for a long time or even be cured with liver transplantation or surgery. However, survival rates are poorer for advanced-stage liver cancer, particularly when it has progressed to other organs.
The stage and unique characteristics of each patient determine the "best" course of treatment for liver cancer. The best chance of recovery for early-stage illness is through surgery (liver transplant or partial hepatectomy). In other situations, the cancer may be managed and survival increased by systemic therapies (such as chemotherapy or targeted therapy), radiation therapy, embolisation, or ablation.
Indeed, liver cancer is usually seen as an aggressive disease that spreads rather quickly, especially if it is not identified and treated promptly. This is especially true with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although the rate of dissemination varies, it often advances rapidly, underscoring the importance of early detection and treatment.
Indeed, in India, liver cancer is treatable, especially if caught early and treated. Treatments such as targeted therapy, liver transplantation, ablation, and surgery can either cure the condition or significantly increase survival rates. The cancer's stage, the patient's overall condition, and the availability of advanced medical facilities are among the variables that influence the effectiveness of treatment.