• Question: Due to your current research, why do different types of cancers appear in the liver??

    Asked by anon-220367 to David on 20 Jun 2019.
    • Photo: David Wilson

      David Wilson answered on 20 Jun 2019: last edited 20 Jun 2019 9:15 pm


      Thanks for the question, i hope this makes some sense to you.
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      Cancer is a disease that occurs when cells in your body begin to divide uncontrollably to form a lump or a tumour. The type of cell that forms the tumour is what determines the type of cancer, all cells can form tumours so there are as many different types of cancer as there are cell types in your body.
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      The different types of liver cancer originate from the various cells that make up the liver. Liver cancer can start as a single lump growing in the liver, or it can start in many places within the liver at the same time. The main types of primary liver cancer are:
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      Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is the most common type of liver cancer. This condition develops in the hepatocytes, which are the main liver cells.
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      Cholangiocarcinoma, more commonly known as bile duct cancer, develops in the small, tube-like bile ducts in the liver. These ducts carry bile to the gallbladder to help with digestion. When the cancer begins in the section of the ducts inside the liver, it’s called intrahepatic bile duct cancer. When the cancer begins in the section of the ducts outside the liver, it’s called extrahepatic bile duct cancer.
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      Liver angiosarcoma is a rare form of liver cancer that begins in the blood vessels of the liver. This type of cancer tends to progress very quickly, so it’s typically diagnosed at a more advanced stage.
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      Hepatoblastoma is an extremely rare type of liver cancer. It’s nearly always found in children. With surgery and chemotherapy, the outlook for people with this type of cancer can be very good. When hepatoblastoma is detected in the early stages, the survival rate is higher than 90 percent.
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      The exact cause of liver cancer is unknown, but most cases are associated with damage and scarring of the liver known as cirrhosis. Cirrhosis can have a number of different causes, including:
      drinking excessive amounts of alcohol over many years, having a long-term hepatitis B or hepatitis C viral infection, haemochromatosis – an inherited disorder in which iron levels in the body slowly build up over many years, primary biliary cirrhosis – a long-term liver disease in which the bile ducts in the liver become damaged.
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      It’s also believed obesity and an unhealthy diet can increase the risk of liver cancer because this can lead to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

      You may be able to significantly reduce your chances of developing liver cancer by:
      > avoiding or cutting down on alcohol
      > eating healthily
      > exercising regularly
      > taking steps to reduce your risk of becoming infected with hepatitis B and C
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      Over the past few decades, rates of liver cancer in the UK have risen considerably, possibly as a result of increased levels of alcohol consumption and obesity.

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