In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Uday Sanglodkar, Senior Consultant Hepatologist and Clinical Lead Liver and Transplant ICU at Global Hospitals in Parel, said that, liver cancer, mainly primary liver cancer, refers to a harmful tumor which starts from the liver. It can be classified into many types, with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), also known as hepatoma, being the most prevalent. This specific type of primary liver cancer begins from the principal cell type found in the liver – the hepatocytes.
Dr Uday Sanglodkar revealed that, liver cancer happens when there are alterations or mutations in the DNA of liver cells. This can result in cells growing uncontrollably and forms a tumor which is composed of cancerous cells. In certain cases, the reason behind liver cancer is identifiable like chronic hepatitis infections. However, there are instances where liver cancer develops in people with no pre-existing conditions and its cause remains unknown.
Highlighting that in the initial stage of primary liver cancer, most of the people experience no noticeable signs or symptoms, Dr Uday Sanglodkar, said, when these do manifest, they could include weight loss, a decrease in appetite, pain in the upper abdomen, feelings of nausea and followed by vomiting, an overall sense of weakness and eye whites known as jaundice.
Dr Uday Sanglodkar also pointed out that, Primary liver cancer risk can be escalated by many factors. These include enduring infections with either the hepatitis C virus (HCV) or hepatitis B virus (HBV), both enhances the likelihood of developing liver cancer. Cirrhosis, an irreversible and a severe condition which is characterized by liver scarring, is another contributing aspect. Some hereditary liver diseases, such as hemochromatosis Wilson’s disease, and diabetes can lead to this cancer. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, which is caused by fat collected the liver, is another potential risk factor. Excessive alcohol consumption can result in permanent liver damage raising the chances of developing liver cancer.
Asserting that timely screening is important for liver cancer, he said, by early detection of liver cancer will increase the survival rates, but this can be tricky because its initial symptoms may mimic common maladies like fatigue or loss of appetite. The subtlety of these symptoms emphasizes the need for regular screenings, especially for high-risk people. Early detection of liver cancer can significantly increase the chances of successful treatment and survival rates. Timely screening allows the doctor to target malignancies before they progress into later, more deadly stages. Liver cancer often shows no symptoms until its advanced stage. Therefore, routine screenings become an undeniably crucial shield in the battle against this silent killer. He concluded, that, non-invasive tests such as ultrasound scans and blood tests for Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and imaging techniques allows doctors with precise information about the patient’s liver without performing a single cut. Ultrasound examinations are the first line of detection which features a noninvasive approach to detect any malicious growths. MRIs and CT scans provide an intricate view of the tumor’s size and location. So, it’s very important to go for regular liver screening checkups.
