Liver Cancers

They may be primary or secondary. Symptoms are loss of appetite, weight loss, abdominal swelling, pain, fever and jaundice. Cirrhosis is closely linked with cancer of the liver. Avoid alcohol, vinyl chloride (plastics), drug abuse, aflatoxins from fungus on peanuts.

Every year, over 35,660 people will be diagnosed with liver cancer and nearly 24,550 people will die of the disease. Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and cirrhosis are all linked to liver cancer. You can greatly reduce your risk for liver cancer by preventing or diagnosing and treating these diseases early.

RISK FACTORS

Men and women who

  • Drink alcohol to access. Drinking alcohol can lead to cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver, which can lead to liver cancer
  • Use tobacco products
  • Are obese. People who are obese are more likely to have fatty liver disease and diabetes, which are both linked to liver cancer
  • Are exposed to cancer-causing chemicals
  • Have Hepatitis B virus (HBV) or Hepatitis C virus (HCV) You are at risk for HBV if you:
    • Have sex with someone who is infected
    • Have multiple sexual partners
    • Have a sexually transmitted disease
    • Are a man who has sex with other men
    • Inject drugs
    • Live with someone who has chronic HBV
    • Have traveled to a country where many people have HBV
    • Are exposed to blood at work
    • Get long-term hemodialysis

Were born to a mother with HBV. You are at risk for HCV if you:Were born between 1945 and 1965

  • Have ever injected drugs
  • Received a blood transfusion or organ transplant before July 1992 (This is when blood and organs started being screened for HCV.)
  • Took medicine for a blood clotting problem before 1987
  • Are on long-term hemodialysis
  • Are infected with HIV