Patient Care | Conditions

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About Hepatocellular Carcinoma (Primary Liver Cancer)

This is also sometimes called hepatoma or HCC.  It is the most common type of primary liver cancer.  85 out of every 100 primary liver cancers (85%) diagnosed are this type.  This type of liver cancer develops from the main liver cells called hepatocytes. It usually occurs in people that have a damaged liver from cirrhosis. It is much more likely to develop in men than in women.  It also becomes more common with increasing age.

   Symptoms  

Typically, the first most noticeable signs of Liver Cancer are:

• unexplained weight loss
• loss of appetite
• feeling sick and vomiting
• pain or swelling in your abdomen
• Jaundice
• itchy skin

It is important however to remember the symptoms above can be caused by many different conditions, and aren’t usually the result of cancer.

   What causes Hepatocellular Carcinoma (Primary Liver Cancer)?

The exact cause of liver cancer is unknown, but most cases are associated with damage and scarring of the liver known as cirrhosis.

Cirrhosis can have a number of different causes, including drinking excessive amounts of alcohol over many years and having a long-term hepatitis B or hepatitis C viral infection.

It is also believed obesity and an unhealthy diet can increase the risk of liver cancer because this can lead to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

   Preventing Measures outlined by NHS Choices 

Certain lifestyle changes may help prevent Primary Liver Cancer. You can do this by maintaining a healthy weight managing how much alcohol you drink and by not smoking cigarettes.

 

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