Liver cancer

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most frequent primary liver tumour.
It originates from hepatocytes mainly due to chronic hepatopathy or cirrhosis.

Causes 
The main causes of hepatocellular carcinoma are hepatitis B or C and cirrhosis, the onset in a healthy liver is much rarer.
For this reason it is advisable, for those suffering from these diseases, to conduct periodic checks through blood tests to prevent any development of the neoplasm.

Symptoms
The early stages of hepatocellular carcinoma are mostly asymptomatic.
Generally patients presenting this disease show the typical signs of advanced cirrhosis:

• bleeding from varices
• jaundice
• increase in the volume of haemorrhoids
• lack of appetite
• increase in the volume of the abdomen
• pain located in the upper part of the stomach that radiates up to the scapula.

Diagnosis
Early diagnosis is very important because, when hepatocellular carcinoma is at an early stage, it is more easily treatable.
First, it is necessary to carry out specific blood tests.
They are always accompanied by an ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance.
In some cases a biopsy is also required.

Treatment
Treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma varies depending on the development of the tumour and the presence of chronic liver disease such as cirrhosis and hepatitis.
If the liver is still functional, it is possible to proceed surgically through a resection of the part presenting the carcinoma.
In contrast, if normal liver activity is compromised by the presence of cirrhosis, the use of the many non-surgical therapeutic strategies (radiofrequency, micro-waves, radiotherapy, endovascular radiotherapy, etc.) must be assessed case by case.
In some patients, liver transplantation is used.