CAUSES OF LIVER CANCER
The most common
causes of liver cancer are discussed here in a comprehensive manner.
HOW COMMON IS
LIVER CANCER?
Incidence of liver
cancer is increasing day by day and recently it is claimed to be the 6th most
commonly occurring cancer worldwide. Highest rates are found in Asia. Liver
cancer is more common in men
than women and increasing age is also a risk factor.
Primary liver
cancer is the one which has started in the liver cells.
Secondary liver
cancer is the one which has come to liver from some distant organ through blood
or by direct invasion. The most common organ causing metastisis into liver are
breast, colon, stomach, pancreas and gallbladder although gallbladder cancer
may directly invade liver parenchyma.
Following are the
causes and risk factors of liver cancer.
1-CIRRHOSIS OF LIVER:
Cirrhosis is
scarring of liver due to previous damage to cells. After getting some sort of
injury, the liver
attempts to repair the
damaged area and in doing so small regenerative nodules are formed which
sometimes get out of control leading to cancer.Cirrhosis can be caused by a
number of diseases but the following are the most commonly involved.
• Chronic
infection with Hepatitis B and C
• Chronic alcohol
abuse
• Some inherited
overload disorders like iron overload (haemochromatosis) and alpha 1
antitrypsin deficiency disorder.
2-ALCOHOL:
The long term
heavy alcohol drinking predisposes the liver cells to cirrhosis.
Alcohol can also
directly damage DNA leading to alteration in genes.
3-NAFLD:
Non alcoholic
fatty liver disease is a group of diseases in which excessive fat is stored in
the liver cells which can lead to cirrhosis. This disease is common in people
with metabolic syndrome, a group of symptoms including high blood pressure,
diabetes mellitus, and truncal obesity (having excessive fat around the belly).
4-LONG TERM
INFECTION WITH HEPATITIS B OR C:
Long term infection with these viruses increase the risk
factor many folds. This is due to the fact that infection with hepatitis B or C
causes cirrhosis of liver.
5-SMOKING:
Smoking is an
independent risk factor for hepatocellular cancer. Almost one fourth cancers
are caused by smoking. In those who have hepatitis B or C infection, the risk
factor is increased further. Alcoholic smokers have 10 times increased risk of
cancer.
6-DIABETES
MELLITUS:
The proposed
mechanism of developing liver
cancer in diabetics is
increased insulin levels in their blood. The risk factor is increased further
if smoking is added.
7-FAMILY
HISTORY OF CANCER:
Some researchers
claim this to be a risk factor as well.
8-GALL BLADDER
REMOVAL:
Removal of gall
bladder for stones can increase the chance of having liver cancer.
9-BODY WEIGHT:
Increased body
mass index is also considered as a separate risk factor for developing liver cancer. Persons having
truncal obesity (apple shaped body) have increased risk.
10-AFLATOXIN
INFECTION:
This is a
substance found in soya bean, rice, wheat, ground nuts and peanuts. People
using these foods for long term are found to develop liver cancer more than
those not using them.
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