Different Types of Liver Cancer
The fact that there are different types of liver cancer comes as no surprise, considering that the liver is responsible for many bodily functions. The body's largest organ filters toxins, processes and stores nutrients, contributes to clotting, and secretes bile, among other duties. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common among the different types of liver cancer. It develops in the hepatocytes, the primary liver cells. There are three types of HCC. The first type is in the form of a single tumor that grows and, if left untreated, spreads elsewhere in the liver. People who have the hepatitis B virus (HBV) or the hepatitis C virus (HCV) might experience this. The second type of HCC has tentacle-like projections that spread. People with liver cirrhosis might experience this. Lastly, the third type of HCC is multifocal, which means that the cancer develops in different parts of the liver. Another type of cancer that might occur in the liver is cholangiocarcinoma, which develop in bile ducts that take bile to the gall bladder. It occurs in the liver or right outside it.
Cancer research shows that people who have gallbladder inflammation, chronic ulcerative colitis, or certain forms of chronic parasite infections are more likely to develop cholangiocarcinoma. Among the different types of liver cancer, there are many rare types. These include angiosarcomas, hemangiosarcomas, and hepatoblastomas. Angiosarcomas and hemangiosarcomas develop in the liver's blood vessels. Studies show that exposure to vinyl chloride, which is used in plastic imanufacturing, have an increased risk of developing these cancers, as do individuals who have been injected with thorium dioxide (Thorotrast) for some kinds of x-ray tests decades ago. While some chemicals have been linked to the different types of liver cancer, there is still not a specific cause for the disease. Hepatoblastoma usually affects children below 4 years old. Prognosis is good, if discovered early. Therefore, in order to have a greater chance of fighting the disease, familiarize yourself with the different types of liver cancer and learn more about
cancer prevention.
