Liver Cancer

There are 3 main causes of primary liver cancer:

• Chronic hepatitis B infection
• Chronic hepatitis C infection
• Liver disease caused by excessive alcohol consumption

Other causes are less common and may include inherited liver conditions, cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) or a poison called aflatoxin that is found in mouldy peanuts, wheat, soya and grain.

The treatment for liver cancer depends on the size of the tumour and how much it has spread. It may include:

• Chemotherapy destroys the cancer cells. Drugs can be given as injections into the vein or directly into the tumour via a process called chemoembolisation. At the same time, a gel may be injected to block blood supply to the tumour.
• Liver transplant involves the removal of the entire liver and replacement with a healthy donated liver. This can only be done when a donated liver is available.
• Radiation therapy (high-energy x-ray) destroys the cancer cells or stop them from spreading. 
• Liver resection is a surgery that removes the affected part of the liver. This can cure early stage liver cancer if the rest of the liver is healthy.
• Targeted therapy stops the cancer from growing or spreading and reduces blood flow to the cancer cells.
• Tumour ablation (erosion) directly destroys the liver cancer cells with heat or alcohol.