liver and gallbladder disorders
Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Introduction
Hepatocellular carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the liver cells and is the most common of the primary liver cancers. Having Overview of Hepatitis or People may have abdominal pain, lose weight, and feel a large mass in the upper right part of the abdomen. Doctors base the diagnosis on results of a blood test and imaging tests. This cancer is usually fatal unless it is diagnosed early. (See also Overview of Liver Tumors .) Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common type of cancer originating in the liver. It usually occurs in people who have severe scarring of the liver ( Cirrhosis of the Liver ). In certain areas of Africa and East Asia, hepatocellular carcinoma is more common than it is in the United States and is a common cause of death. In these areas, many people have chronic infection with the Overview of Chronic Hepatitis . The presence of this virus in the body increases the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma more than 100-fold. Hepatitis B can cause cirrhosis, but it can lead to hepatocellular carcinoma whether cirrhosis develops or not. Cirrhosis due to Having Hemochromatosis (a hereditary disorder that causes the body to absorb too much iron) also increases the risk of developing hepatocellular cancer. In hemochromatosis iron may accumulate in the liver and damage it. Hepatocellular carcinoma sometimes results from exposure to certain cancer-causing substances (carcinogens). In subtropical regions where hepatocellular carcinoma is common, food is often contaminated by carcinogens called aflatoxins, substances that are produced by certain types of fungi. In North America, Europe, and other geographic areas where hepatocellular carcinoma is less common, the most common cause is chronic hepatitis C. Cirrhosis, most commonly long-standing cirrhosis related to chronic hepatitis C, Fatty Liver , or 