The largest internal organ in human body, liver has several functions. It consists of four lobes. The functions of liver are filtering of the blood, storing glycogen, production of bile, an alkaline compound, decomposition of red blood cells, plasma protein synthesis, regulating high-volume biochemical reactions, etc. Liver cancer is a malignant form of cancer that develops in the tissues of the liver. The benign tumors are not life threatening and growth of these can be treated with surgery. Simply, the liver cancers are clinically categorized as primary and secondary. Cancer spreads to other parts of the body through three systems-tissue, lymph systems and blood.

Types of Liver Cancer :

There are various types of liver cancer categorized according to the growth of the cell types. The main two types are :

• Primary Liver cancer : It is the common type of adult liver cancer and it gradually develops to other parts of the body. Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common type of malignant tumors.
• Metastasized Liver cancer : It is the metastatic form of cancer that develops in other parts of the body and travels to liver due to its important function of the filtering of the blood. Cancers from colon, pancreas, stomach, lung, and breast have the risk of spreading to liver.

The sub types of liver cancer are Cholangiocarcinoma, Klatskin tumor, angiosarcoma, lymphomas, carcinoids, etc. 

The risk factors of liver cancer are chronic hepatitis B and C infection, cirrhosis of the liver, diabetes mellitus, exposure to toxins, such as certain types of fungi (aflatoxin), vinyl chloride, anabolic steroids, and arsenic, smoking, etc.

Symptoms of Liver Cancer :

Various symptoms of liver cancer occur when cancer develops in the liver. However, all symptoms may not have the right indication of liver cancer. The symptoms are :

• Ascites - an accumulation of fluid around the liver and intestines
• Jaundice - yellowing of the skin and whites of the eye
• Fever
• Fatigue 
• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Confusion
• Pain in the back or abdomen or around the right shoulder blade
• A hard lump just below the rib cage
• Dark-coloured urine
• Clay-coloured bowel movements
• Internal bleeding

Treatments of Liver Cancer :

After proper diagnosis the physicians start the treatment of the liver cancer. The procedures of the diagnosis are physical examination and history of the diseases of the patient, Serum tumor marker test, Complete blood count (CBC), Biopsy, CT scan, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging),  Ultrasound exam and Laparoscopy. If the diagnosis result shows the abnormal development of cancer cells in the liver, the doctors start the treatment according to the stage of the cancer. The stages are named according to the severity of the disease and the gradual development of the cells to other parts of the body. The treatments of liver cancer are Surgery, Radiation therapy, Chemotherapy and Percutaneous ethanol injection. The new types of cancer treatment still in clinical trials are Hyperthermia therapy and Biologic therapy.

India attracts the foreign travelers due to its updated medical treatments at an affordable price. Our teams of Apollo Hospitals have successful records of liver cancer treatment. One can receive efficient medical treatments in India through our guidance. Free consultation and no waiting period facilities we provide to the medical tourist.