Due to the increasing rate of obesity, cases of liver cancer are expected to double by 2050. This claim has been made in a new research. Many adults are still unaware of the increasing dangers of liver cancer. Research on this subject has explained liver cancer in detail. Let's know

We all know that obesity is a big enemy of health. But it is surprising that obesity can also cause liver cancer. Experts have claimed this in a recent research. They say that by 2050, cases of liver cancer may double. Researchers have held the increasing obesity rate partly responsible for this.

This research was done by the Lancet Commission on Liver Cancer. Its report states that liver cancer cases worldwide will increase from 8.7 lakh in 2022 to 15.2 lakh by 2050. Experts estimate that the number of obesity-related liver cancer cases will increase from 5% to 11%. More efforts are needed to avoid it and stop it from increasing. So let's know what liver cancer is and how can it be avoided?

What is liver cancer and how does it occur?

Cancer that develops inside the liver is called primary liver cancer. If cancer develops in any other part of the body and affects the liver, it is called secondary liver cancer. This information was given by Anya Adair of the British Liver Trust as well as being a consultant transplant and hepatobiliary surgeon at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. She said that how serious liver cancer is depends on the general health of the patient, where the cancer is in the liver, how big it is, whether it has spread or not and whether it is primary or secondary.

What is HCC?

According to the Liver Cancer Trust, part of the British Liver Trust, liver cancer can develop within liver tissue, a condition called hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCC occurs when hepatocytes grow and multiply at a rate that is beyond the capacity of the cells to produce them. However, cancer can also develop in the bile duct system of the liver, a condition called cholangio carcinoma.

According to the Liver Cancer Trust, HCC accounts for three out of every four cases of liver cancer. It usually occurs in already damaged liver, called cirrhosis. Adair said you can develop a scarred cirrhotic liver condition because of drinking alcohol. But it can also be caused by non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

What are some common symptoms?

HCC usually has no visible symptoms. It is usually found incidentally on a scan done for another reason. A person may not know they have a lesion in their liver.

Liver cancer is often not detected in the early stages. When the condition becomes severe, the patient starts showing symptoms like jaundice, weight loss without any apparent reason, fatigue or vomiting.

If you have jaundice, you should immediately consult a doctor. Especially, weight loss without any specific reason is also a warning signal.

What are the treatment options?

1. According to Adair, there are several options for treating liver cancer, including surgery.
2. Liver transplant is an option if the cancer is detected early, that too if the patient falls under transplant rules.
3. If the cancer is localized and the remaining liver is functioning well, liver resection can be done, in which a part of the liver is removed.
4. Patients with a single lesion in the liver that is less than three centimeters may opt for ablation, which involves destroying the targeted tissue using extreme cold or heat.
5. Other treatments for liver cancer include chemoembolization or directly attacking the tumor with radiation.

PC:Moneycontrol