Liver cancer is characterized by the unmanageable growth of cells of the liver. Cancer, which originates in the liver is mainly regarded as liver cancer or hepatic cancer. Sometimes, cancer from other parts of the body may spread to the liver, such as from the colon, lungs or breast and that is called liver metastasis.

The name of the cancer is generally derived from the name of the organ from where it is originated, like metastatic lung cancer in order to explain that cancer began in the lungs and then spread to the liver.

It is usually observed that cancer that spreads from other parts to the liver is more common than cancer that starts in the liver.

There can be many types of liver cancer occurring in the body, however, hepatocellular carcinoma is generally considered to be the most common type. And it is found to be the second deadliest cancer having claimed a number of lives to date. Other types of cancers occurring in the liver are hepatoblastoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, but these are not so common in terms of their occurrences.

The liver cancer is generally the formation of a lump in the liver which results in the enlargement of the size of the liver.

Causes of liver cancer
It is often found that a specific virus causes liver cancer. A prolonged infection caused by the hepatitis virus results in the development of certain changes in the DNA of the liver cells. These changes trigger changes in the instructions too, that are transferred via DNA to the cells. As a result, the cells do not perform their usual function and instead show abnormal division. Eventually, this uncontrollable growth of cells leads to the formation of a tumor, which is nothing but a lump or mass of cancerous cells.

Apart from the virus, there are certain factors that enhance the risk of getting cancer, such as cirrhosis and many more. They are listed below:

• Cirrhosis is the replacement of the healthy tissues of the liver with the scar and abnormal tissues. When it happens for a longer period of time, it is likely to cause cirrhosis.
• In case an individual already has an infection in the liver, he or she may have the chances of growing cancer from the infected cells and tissues.
• Even people with diabetes are likely to get cancer. Obesity is yet another risk enhancer.

Symptoms of liver cancer
The symptoms of liver cancer cannot be identified in the juvenile stage; however, in their advanced stages, the signs can become quite prominent. The signs include jaundice, pain in the abdomen, nausea, vomiting, pain in the back region, itching along with fever.

As the cancer advances, much of these signs lead to the weakening of the body, causing less appetite and thus a loss in weight. The liver also gets enlarged gradually. And cancer may even reach the gallbladder in some extreme cases. And further to that, it may spread to different parts as well.

Treatment of liver cancer
The foremost treatment that can be done to remove the tumor from the liver is surgery. A small portion of the healthy liver along with the tumor is removed in order to prevent any relapse of the same. In case the liver has undergone complete damage, a liver transplant surgery may also be performed.

Other treatments include radiation therapy, targeted drug therapy, and chemotherapy. Herein, the cancer cells are hit with either high powered X-rays or medicines to destroy them and prevent from dividing further.