Liver tumor

Hepatic tumors are tumors or growths on or in the liver. These growths can be benign or malignant (cancerous). They may be discovered on medical imaging (even for a different reason than the cancer itself), or may be present in patients as an abdominal mass, hepatomegaly, abdominal pain, jaundice, or some other liver dysfunction.

Classification

There are many forms of liver tumors:

Malignant (cancerous)

• Most cases are metastases from other tumors, frequently of the GI tract (like colon cancer, carcinoid tumors mainly of the appendix, etc.), but also from breast cancer, ovarian cancer, lung cancer, renal cancer, prostate cancer, etc.
• The most frequent, malignant, primary liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma (also named hepatoma, which is a misnomer because adenomas are usually benign).
• More rare primary forms of liver cancer include cholangiocarcinoma, mixed tumors, tumors of mesenchymal tissue, sarcoma and hepatoblastoma, a rare malignant tumor in children.

Benign

• Hepatic Hemangioma are the most common liver tumors, found in up to 7% of autopsy specimens.
  • A rare tumor is Infantile hemangioendothelioma.
• Hepatic Adenoma, mainly in women using estrogens as contraceptives, or in cases of steroid abuse
• focal nodular hyperplasia
• Nodular regenerative hyperplasia
• Hamartoma

What is hepatoma (primary liver cancer)?

Also called hepatocellular carcinoma, this is the most common form of primary liver cancer. Chronic infection with hepatitis B and C increases the risk of developing this type of cancer. Other causes include cancer-causing substances, alcoholism, and chronic liver cirrhosis.

What are the symptoms of a liver hepatoma?

The following are the most common symptoms of a liver hepatoma. Symptoms may include:

• abdominal pain
• weight loss
• nausea
• vomiting
• large mass can be felt in upper, right part of abdomen
• fever
• jaundice - yellowing of the skin and eyes.

The symptoms of a liver hepatoma may resemble other medical conditions or problems. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.

How is liver hepatoma diagnosed?

In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, diagnostic procedures for a liver hepatoma may include the following:

• liver function tests - a series of special blood tests that can determine if the liver is functioning properly.
• abdominal ultrasound (Also called sonography.) - a dia gnostic imaging technique which uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of the internal organs. Ultrasounds are used to view internal organs of the abdomen such as the liver, spleen, and kidneys and to assess blood flow through various vessels.
• computed tomography scan (CT or CAT scan) - a diagnostic imaging procedure using a combination of x-rays and computer technology to produce cross-sectional images, both horizontally and vertically, of the body. A CT scan shows detailed images of any part of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat, and organs. CT scans are more detailed than general x-rays.
• hepatic arteriography - x-rays taken after a substance in injected into the hepatic artery.
• liver biopsy - a procedure in which tissue samples from the liver are removed (with a needle or during surgery) from the body for examination under a microscope.

Treatment for liver hepatoma

Specific treatment for liver hepatoma will be determined by your physician based on:

• your age, overall health, and medical history
• extent of the disease
• your tolerance of specific medicines, procedures, or therapies
• expectations for the course of the disease
• your opinion or preference

Treatment may include:

• surgery
  In some cases surgery may be used to remove cancerous tissue from the liver. However, the tumor must be small and confined.
• radiation therapy
  Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill or shrink can cer cells.
• chemotherapy
  Chemotherapy uses anticancer drugs to kill cancer cells.
• liver transplantation

What is metastatic liver cancer?

Cancer that has spread from other areas in the body to the liver usually originated in the lung, breast, colon, pancreas, and stomach. Leukemia and other blood cancers sometimes also spread to the liver.

What are the symptoms of metastatic liver cancer?

The following are the most common symptoms of metastatic liver cancer. Symptoms may include:

• weight loss
• poor appetite
• enlarged, hard and tender liver
• fever
• enlarged spleen
• ascites - fluid build-up in the abdominal cavity.
• jaundice - yellowing of the skin and eyes.
• confusion
• drowsiness

The symptoms of metastatic liver cancer may resemble other medical conditions or problems. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.

How is metastatic liver cancer diagnosed?

In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, diagnostic procedures for metastatic liver cancer may include the following:

• liver function tests - a series of special blood tests that can determine if the liver is functioning properly.
• abdominal ultrasound (Also called sonography.) - a diagnostic imaging technique which uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of the internal organs. Ultrasounds are used to view internal organs of the abdomen such as the liver spleen, and kidneys and to assess blood flow through various vessels.
• computed tomography scan (CT or CAT scan) - a diagnostic imaging procedure using a combination of x-rays and computer technology to produce cross-sectional images, both horizontally and vertically, of the body. A CT scan shows detailed images of any part of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat, and organs. CT scans are more detailed than general x-rays.
• magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - a diagnostic procedure that uses a combination of large magnets, radiofrequencies, and a computer to produce detailed images of organs and structures within the body.
• liver biopsy - a procedure in which tissue samples from the liver are removed (with a needle or during surgery) from the body for examination under a microscope.

Treatment for metastatic liver cancer:

Specific treatment for metastatic liver cancer will be determined by your physician based on:

• your age, overall health, and medical history
• extent of the disease
• your tolerance of specific medicines, procedures, or therapies
• expectations for the course of the disease
• your opinion or preference

Treatment may include:

• surgery
  In some cases surgery may be used to remove cancerous tissue from the liver. However, the tumor must be small and confined.
• radiation therapy
  Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill or shrink cancer cells.
• chemotherapy
  Chemotherapy uses anticancer drugs to kill cancer cells.