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Who gets liver cancer?
- The American Cancer Society estimates that 42,810 American men and women will be diagnosed with primary and secondary liver cancer annually. More than 90 percent of all cases occur in men and women age 45 or older.
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What are some known risk factors for developing liver cancer?
- Risk factors for liver cancer, also called hepatocellular carcinoma, cited by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) include chronic infection with hepatitis B or C and cirrhosis of the liver.
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What are the signs and symptoms of liver cancer?
- While symptoms may vary depending on how far the cancer has spread, some common symptoms include a hard lump or discomfort on the right side just below the rib cage, jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes), loss of appetite without reason, extreme tiredness or weakness, pale bowel movements or dark urine.
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Can liver cancer be cured?
- Many people with primary liver cancer survive the disease. A liver transplant offers the best chance to arrest cancer cell continuation. Outlooks are continuing to improve for patients who are not candidates for a liver transplant, especially in the field of Interventional Oncology, which offers advanced treatments for primary and secondary liver cancer.
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What are the goals of Interventional Oncology?
- Interventional oncology reduces the need for invasive surgeries or provides another option in cases where surgery can not be performed. When surgery isn’t an option for the type or stage of cancer that you have, our interventional radiologists can offer treatment using imaging to guide treatments directly to where your tumor is and destroy it with minimally invasive techniques.
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What do I need to do after I’ve had all my treatment?
- Our specialists are dedicating efforts to helping patients live well beyond a diagnosis of cancer. All our patients are encouraged to talk with us about the quality of life and “what’s next?” after their cancer treatment.
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Where can I get more information?
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- National Cancer Institute – http://www.cancer.gov/types/liver
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/liver/
- America Cancer Society – http://www.cancer.org/cancer/livercancer/
Helping our patients get the care they need to live happy, healthy lives is our top priority at USA Oncology Centers. Call us at 855.870.4747 if you want to learn more about our treatments, or if you want to learn more about our locations, physicians, or insurance coverage. Or, simply schedule online with us.