causes of liver cancer

Possible causes of liver cancer

United States, primary liver cancer is rare. About 5,000 new cases are diagnosed in this country each year, representing less than 1 / 2 of 1 percent of all cancers.

In other parts of the world, however, primary liver cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer and causes more deaths than any other cancer. Worldwide, this disease is a major health problem. Rates are highest in Asia and Africa and is supposed to be related to infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV).

Researchers estimate that 10-20 percent of people infected with HBV will develop liver cancer. This viral infection is common in developing countries. Many infants are infected with HBV at birth, due to the high prevalence of infection in women of childbearing age. This is important because researchers believe that the longer you have been infected with the virus, the greater the likelihood of developing liver cancer. Evidence of HBV infection can be found in almost one quarter of Americans with liver cancer. The use of hepatitis B vaccine is recommended to protect healthcare workers and others who are often exposed to this virus. The researchers found that people in some diseases of the liver is more likely to develop the average primary liver cancer. For example, about 5 percent of people who have been diagnosed with liver cirrhosis (a progressive disease that leads to scarring of the liver) eventually develop liver cancer.

Aflatoxins, a group of chemicals produced by a fungus that sometimes contaminate certain foods such as peanuts, grains and seeds, are known carcinogens (carcinogens) and liver cancer. As a precaution, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration monitors the safety and quality of these foods and products containing them. If these foods grow mold when they are acquired, they must be destroyed.

Vinyl chloride, an industrial gas used primarily in the manufacture of plastics and formerly used as aerosol propellant, has been identified as a cause of angiosarcoma, another form of liver cancer. This rare type of cancer found in workers exposed to Thorotrast half X-ray contrast (no longer in use). There were also reports of angiosarcoma in people who have taken anabolic steroids and birth control pills, although this is rare.

Symptoms of liver cancer

Liver cancer is difficult to identify at an early stage because early symptoms are usually vague. As with other cancers, this disease can cause a general feeling of health. Liver cancer can lead to loss of appetite, weight loss, fever, fatigue and weakness. As the tumor grows, patients may have pain that starts on the right side of the upper abdomen and back and stretches the shoulder. Some patients may feel the upper abdomen.

Liver cancer can also lead to bloating and a feeling of fullness or bloating. Patients may have episodes of fever and nausea. Some patients develop jaundice, a condition in which the skin and whites of the eyes become yellow, urine may become dark. Symptoms like these may be due to primary or secondary liver tumors, a benign (not cancerous) liver tumors or other conditions. Symptoms you should tell your doctor so that the diagnosis can be made.

However, it was determined that cirrhosis is a precancerous condition in fact, some research suggests that lifestyle factors like alcohol consumption and malnutrition, both due to cirrhosis and liver cancer.