Liver Cancer Treatment and Early Signs of Liver Cancer Every Pakistani Should Know

Lately, we've noticed an increased amount of cancer cases in Pakistan. Coinciding with this health crisis
is the alarming rates of cancerous deaths and prevalence while this is a significant life event for large
numbers of Pakistanis, there are still many times when many people delay or don't recognize the small
symptoms that could lead to potentially fatal liver cancer. For more people to get diagnosed, it's
important to know the early signs.

What is Liver Cancer?

Liver cancer is a type of cancer that affects the liver. It is the sixth most common cancer in the world and
the third most common cancer in Pakistan. According to statistics, liver cancer accounts for one-third of
all cancer cases in men and one-sixth of all cancer cases in women across the world.

The causes of liver cancer are still not entirely known, but several factors can develop the risk of the
disease. These factors include being overweight, having a family history of the disease, drinking alcohol
regularly, and eating a lot of unhealthy foods.

Early signs of liver cancer may include an elevated level of blood sugar, a change in your bowel habits,
fever, and fatigue. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor immediately.
In some cases, however, symptoms may not appear until after the tumor has already grown large
enough to interfere with the normal function of your liver.

Symptoms of Liver Cancer

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, it is important to consult a doctor immediately:
unexplained weight loss, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, unusual bleeding, clay-colored bowel
movements, and jaundice.

While liver cancer is rare in Pakistan, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) reports that one in every five
people in the world will develop liver cancer at some point in their life.

Liver cancer is usually caused by hepatitis B or C virus infections. If you are infected with either of these
viruses, you may be at an increased risk for liver cancer. Other factors that may increase your risk of liver
cancer include being overweight or having a family history of liver cancer.

Surgery for Liver Cancer

If you have any of the following symptoms, you should get checked out by a doctor:

* unexplained jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)

* stomach pain or vomiting

* fatigue or shortness of breath

* unusual weight loss or an increase in appetite

* reduced activity level

Liver cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the world. It is particularly common in people
who are Asian or African, and it attacks both men and women. Liver cancer is often diagnosed early
when it is treatable.

There are two types of liver cancer:

hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma.

HCC is the most common type of liver cancer and usually occurs in people who have heavy drinking
habits or smoked cigarettes.

Cholangiocarcinoma is rarer but can be more serious. It occurs when cancerous cells grow in the bile
ducts, which carry cholesterol from the liver to the intestines.

Tests for Liver Cancer and Treatment Options

Liver cancer is the most common cancer in the world and the fourth leading cause of cancer death. It
affects nearly 1 million people in the US each year, and it is estimated that 47,000 people will die from
liver cancer in 2017.

The best way to detect liver cancer early is to perform blood tests every year. If your blood tests show
an increase in liver enzymes, this is a sign that you should see a doctor. Doctors will then perform a
series of tests to determine if you have liver cancer. If you do have liver cancer, your doctor will
prescribe treatment options depending on the stage of the disease.

Liver cancer treatment options are:

 liver removal surgery,

 liver transplant,
 drug therapy.

The most common liver cancer treatment is liver removal surgery, also called a hepatectomy. During this
procedure, the surgeon removes the liver cancer along with a margin of healthy tissue around it. In
some cases, the entire liver may need to be removed. This is called a total hepatectomy.

If the liver can't be removed entirely, a partial hepatectomy may be performed. In a partial
hepatectomy, only part of the liver is removed. A liver transplant is another treatment option for liver
cancer. In this procedure, the surgeon removes the cancerous liver and replaces it with a healthy liver
from a donor.

Drug therapy is another treatment option for liver cancer. Chemotherapy and targeted drug therapy are
two types of drug therapy that may be used to treat liver cancer. Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer
cells. Targeted drug therapy uses drugs that target specific molecules involved in the growth and spread
of liver cancer cells. Clinical trials are ongoing to develop new and improved liver cancer treatments.

There are several ways to prevent liver cancer, including eating a healthy diet and getting regular
exercise. If you do get liver cancer, please seek help from a healthcare provider as soon as possible.
Together, we can improve the chances of defeating this deadly disease.
Conclusion

If you are one of the millions of people living in Pakistan, then you must know about the early signs of
liver cancer. If you or someone you know suffers from any of the following signs, please seek
professional medical help immediately: jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), unexplained weight
loss, yellowing of the whites of your eye (onychomycosis), an increase in blood pressure, persistent
fatigue, clay-colored stools, and intense abdominal pain. Unless otherwise noted, all information on this
page was taken from the charity organization Fight Cancer With Food.

FAQ:

Why is liver cancer curable in Pakistan?

Liver cancer is the third most common cancer in Pakistan, but it's also one of the most treatable cancers.

One of the reasons liver cancer is so treatable is that it often doesn't show any signs or symptoms until
it's too late. That's why it's important to be proactive and get regularly screened for liver cancer. Early
detection is key to saving your life.

There are a few things you can do to protect yourself against liver cancer.

 First, make sure you eat a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables.
 avoid drinking alcohol excessively.
 exercise regularly – both inside and outside of your workout routine
 get regular screenings for liver cancer – even if you don't have any symptoms.