Detecting liver cancer in time
In general, the Liver Cancer It is installed in two different ways. First of all, when the liver is already weak due to a cirrhosis Alcoholic or has a Lever Inflammation Widely. In most cases, the disease is diagnosed during routine medical follow-up. On the other hand, it is possible for a completely healthy person to fall victim to this disease. Then it becomes difficult to discover a file symptomsThey appear late and do not always correspond to the manifestations of cancer. Only carrying out a series of examinations will make it possible to make a reliable diagnosis. It is necessary to diagnose disease, especially cancer and liver condition, in order to be able to manage treatment or treatment And the most appropriate.
What are the conditions that can lead to the suspicion of liver cancer?
Here we will see the previous two possibilities, namely the case of people who already have a problem with the organ in question, the liver, and those who are not harmed.
For those who suffer from a chronic disease
In this case, the file Liver Cancer It is usually diagnosed during an examination to monitor for liver disease. patients with cirrhosis alcoholic orLever Inflammation You will have to have an ultrasound of the organ every 6 months. The goal is to know the progression of the liver’s condition. During these examinations, it is usual to notice a suspicious mass.
For someone who looks healthy
It is entirely possible that a file Liver Cancer Being asymptomatic for a long time. Even if some symptoms They appear, like fatigue or even digestive disorders, difficult to identify related to the disease.
Most common symptoms
However, the doctor may take some of the signs seriously so that additional tests can be done. This is especially the case when a block is detected in the organ. others symptoms Such as loss of appetite or even nausea must be taken into account. The same is true of jaundice, also called jaundice, which gives the whites of the eyes and skin a yellow color. Itching can also appear on the skin, it itch. Ascites or a fluid effusion that causes flatulence may also occur. Finally, in the case of cirrhosis of the advanced stage, the patient will be a victim of tremors and prone to confusion. These conditions may lead your doctor to perform an ultrasound or blood test. A blood test lets you see how the liver is working and an ultrasound to detect any nodules. Additional tests still need to be done to determine if it’s actually cancer.
How is liver cancer diagnosed?
After the ultrasound and the appearance of the nodule, a CT scan will be done to confirm that the cancer is the correct diagnosis. In addition, a blood test will be used to measure alpha-fetoprotein, a substance in the blood that indicates liver cancer.
Finally, the condition of the liver must be determined in order to start Treatments It adapts and thus avoids any possible complications in the future.
risk factors
Factors that increase the risk of liver cancer include:
- Hepatitis B infection or chronic hepatitis
- Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) increases the risk of developing liver cancer.
- cirrhosis. This progressive and irreversible condition causes scar tissue to form in the liver and increases the risk of developing liver cancer.
- Hereditary liver disease. Liver diseases that can increase the risk of liver cancer include hemochromatosis and Wilson’s disease.
- diabetes. People with a blood sugar disorder have a higher risk of developing liver cancer than people without diabetes.
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The accumulation of fat in the liver increases the risk of developing liver cancer.
Exposure to aflatoxins. Aflatoxins are toxins produced by molds that grow on poorly preserved crops. Crops, such as grains and nuts, can be contaminated with aflatoxin, which can end up in foods made with these products.
Excessive alcohol consumption. Drinking more than a moderate amount of alcohol per day for several years can lead to irreversible liver damage and an increased risk of liver cancer.
How to prevent liver cancer
Reduce the risk of cirrhosis of the liver
Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver, which increases the risk of developing liver cancer. You can reduce your risk of developing cirrhosis if you:
Drink alcohol in moderation, if available. If you choose to drink alcohol, limit the amount you consume. For women, this means having no more than one drink per day. For men, that means no more than two drinks a day.
Maintain a healthy weight. If your current weight is healthy, try to maintain it by choosing a healthy diet and exercising most days of the week. If you need to lose weight, reduce the number of calories you eat each day and increase the amount of exercise you do. Try to lose weight slowly: 0.5-1 kg per week.
#Liver #cancer #signs #symptoms #alert
