Frequently Asked Questions

There are mainly five types of liver cancer based upon the type of cell in the liver. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common type of primary liver cancer which affects the main liver cells called hepatocytes. People with cirrhosis and men are more prone to get Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Fibrolamellar carcinoma Fibrolamellar carcinoma is rare liver cancer, it comes as a subtype of Hepatocellular carcinoma and usually seen in healthy teens and adults under 40 years old. Interestingly, people diagnosed as Fibrolamellar carcinoma is not usually associated with liver cirrhosis or Hepatitis B or C infection. Cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) Cholangiocarcinoma is a rare liver cancer of the bile ducts, also categorized under primary liver cancer. The carcinoma begins in the section of ducts inside the liver is called intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Angiosarcoma Angiosarcoma a type of rare liver cancer affects the blood vessels of the liver; it is commonly seen in the elderly population. Angiosarcoma is also known as soft tissue sarcoma or haemangiosarcoma. Hepatoblastoma: Hepatoblastoma is a kind of rare primary liver cancer that mainly affects children under 3 years old.

When the liver is irreversibly damaged and loses its ability to carry out its normal functions, it is called liver failure. Acute Liver failure, wherein the liver fails to work all of a sudden, is usually caused as an after-effect of certain medication or infection. Chronic liver failure or complete damage of the liver is a life threatening condition that sets in gradually, over many years. The causes can be cirrhosis or cancer of the liver.

Most of the time the Signs and symptoms of liver cancer do not show up until the later stages, but sometimes the signs and symptoms may show up in the beginning stage. Listed below are the common symptoms of liver cancer of hepatic cancer: You may notice unplanned Weight loss, lack of appetite, nausea or vomiting and a feeling of fullness after having a small meal. Enlarged liver & spleen, pain in the right shoulder blade, abdominal pain and swelling Itching and Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) People with hepatic cancer may experience fever, enlarged veins on the belly that can be seen through the skin, and abnormal bruising or bleeding. Some signs and symptoms of hepatic cancer include increased blood calcium levels (hypercalcemia), Low blood sugar levels (hypoglycaemia) and high cholesterol levels

Treatment of liver cancer depends upon various factors, it includes the extent of the liver cancer, patients age, health conditions and personal preferences. Surgery: In liver surgery, the liver cancer cells and small portion of healthy liver tissue is removed to promote liver health. Liver transplant surgery: In liver transplant surgery the diseased liver of patient is replaced by whole or partial healthy liver from another person. Heating cancer cells. This is a minimally invasive procedure; the cancerous cells are ablated by using heat generated from medium frequency electric current. Freezing cancer cells: liquid nitrogen is used to freeze the cancer cells with the help of a surgical instrument (cryoprobe) Alcohol injection: In this method alcohol is directly injected to the tumour to treat liver cancer. Injecting Chemotherapy drugs: Injecting chemotherapy drugs directly to the liver is known as chemoembolization, it can be done as stand-alone treatment or in combination with ablation or surgery.

In some scenarios the cause of liver cancer is identified, for instance chronic hepatitis infection damages the DNA in the liver cells and cause liver cancer. Sometimes liver cancer occurs in patients with no underlying health conditions and it's not clear what causes it.

Produces blood proteins that help your immune system function well, carry oxygen and enable clotting Stores and releases nutrients to your bloodstream Produces bile – the enzyme that helps help digest food Breaks down saturated fat and produces cholesterol out of it Stores glucose in the form of glycogen Keeps your body free from toxins.

Earlier it used to be 7 warning signals of the cancer. Presently, since the cancer is not uncommon, the advice would be, any persistent (lasting beyond a couple of weeks or months), progressive (increasing in intensity despite regular medication) complaints not responding to regular medication requires investigation to rule out cancer. Consult Best Cancer Care Specialists in Aster International Institute of Oncology in Bangalore.

Earlier not much importance was given to the patient's and attendant's role in the management of cancer. Nowadays a lot of importance needs to be given to the lifestyle led by patients and their attendants. For one, it will improve the quality of life of patients and the people around them and secondly, these lifestyle changes have the chance of improving the cure rate. Refer to the survivorship program that will be provided on your to the Best Oncology Hospital in Bangalore.

Here the answer has not changed. Cancer is not a contagious disease or disorder that can so quickly transmit from one person to another. The immune system of a healthy person will destroy foreign cells, including cancer cells from another person. There is no such evidence that cancer is a communicable disease that can transmit from a cancer patient to a healthy person if they are in close contact with or breathing common air. One can safely mix with cancer patients, use utensils in common, and allow playing with children/grandchildren. Occasionally, cancer can spread through tissue or organ transplantation methods due to immunosuppression medication.

Yes, cancer is a curable disease, if it is diagnosed at an early stage (Stage I and II) and appropriate treatment is prescribed by cancer specialists. The highly treatable types of cancers are breast cancer, skin cancer (non-melanomas), colon cancer, prostate cancer, testis cancer, and cervical cancer. In the present day, even the early stage IV cancer can be curable. The focus has shifted to intent. From Stage I to early Stage IV (limited metastases) the approach now is with the intent to cure. The increasing use of immunotherapy and/or stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) in early-stage IV is a welcome development. Visit Best Cancer Centre in Bangalore to avail the advanced treatments for cancer.