What is liver cancer ?
Liver cancer is the uncontrolled growth and spread of unhealthy cells in the liver. Cancer that starts in the liver is primary liver cancer. Cancer that spreads to the liver from another organ (such as bowel or breast) is known as secondary or metastatic liver cancer.

What is the difference between liver tumor and liver cancer ? 
Any mass or nodule in the liver is known as a liver tumor. Liver tumors can be non-cancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant). The most common type of cancer that originates in the liver is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

What are the causes of primary liver cancer ?
There is no one cause of primary liver cancer. Several factors increase a person’s likelihood of developing liver cancer. Some risk factors for liver cancer include:
Viral hepatitis – Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are an important cause for the development of liver cancer. It is estimated that about 5-10 percent of people with HBV or HCV will develop liver cancer.

• Cirrhosis is a progressive disorder that leads to scarring of the liver. Cirrhosis is the end result of all forms of long standing liver damage. Cirrhosis is caused by Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, alcohol abuse, fatty liver and certain genetic disorders.  5-10 percent of patients with cirrhosis will develop liver cancer.
• Toxins such as Arsenic – Drinking water (usually well water) contaminated with arsenic also increase risk for developing liver cancer. Obesity may increase the risk of liver cancer.
• Diabetes can increase the risk of liver cancer, especially in those who drink alcohol heavily or have chronic viral hepatitis B or C infection.

What are the symptoms of liver cancer ?
Liver cancer usually has no obvious symptoms, and people at risk should be followed regularly to detect cancer at an early stage. The following symptoms might be caused by liver cancer:
Unexplained weight loss
Anorexia (persistent lack of appetite)
Early satiety (feeling very full after a small meal)
Persistent abdominal pain
Increasing abdominal girth (swelling of the “stomach” area) with or without breathing difficulty
Sudden jaundice (yellowness of the skin and eyes)
Sudden deterioration in the overall condition of a patient with cirrhosis
Liver enlargement or a mass that can be felt in the area of the liver

What tests will I have to detect liver cancer ?
If liver cancer is suspected, the doctor will conduct a physical examination and order special tests. Further tests may include alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) blood test, ultrasound scan, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), angiography, laparoscopy and biopsy. It is important to detect liver cancers early because small cancers in a patient who has minimal symptoms can be treated effectively.

What is liver cancer screening ?
Liver cancer screening is the best way to detect liver cancer early in its course. It is performed to detect small cancers that do not produce any symptoms. Small cancers can be treated more effectively. Patients who have a liver disease that puts them at a high risk of developing liver cancer (such as hepatitis B, any form of cirrhosis) should undergo periodic screening tests. It usually involves a blood test to look for a cancer marker (alpha-feto-protein) and an ultrasound scan of the liver to look for actual cancer. You must understand that screening tests are not 100 percent accurate and your doctor may advise you additional tests if he suspects that you may have a liver cancer.

How is liver cancer treated ?
Liver cancer treatment depends on:
The liver’s condition
The size, location, and number of tumors
If the cancer has spread outside the liver
The person’s age and overall health

Different ways of treating liver cancer are:
Surgery: If the cancer has been found early and the rest of the liver is healthy, doctors may perform surgery to remove the tumor from the liver.
Cryosurgery: Cryosurgery uses a metal probe to freeze and destroy cancer cells.
Radiofrequency Ablation: Radio frequency ablation uses a special probe to destroy cancer cells with heat using special needle. The procedure is performed under ultrasound or laparoscopic guidance.
Chemotherapy or chemoembolization: Chemotherapy uses anti-cancer drugs to destroy cancer cells. In some cases, the chemotherapy can be directly injected into the liver tumor.
Radiation Therapy: Radiation therapy uses radiation (high-energy x-rays) to destroy cancer cells.
Oral chemotherapy drugs : Sorafenib is an oral medication for use in advanced cases of liver cancer.

Can a liver transplant be done for liver cancer ?
Surgery is the most effective therapy for most types of liver cancer, but doctors will usually combine different methods to treat the cancer most effectively. When surgery to remove the cancer itself cannot be performed, your doctor may suggest a liver transplantation in which the cancer along with the entire liver is replaced thus curing the patient.