Facing a cancer diagnosis can come with a lot of unknowns. Experts at the OSUCCC – James are here to help guide you and your loved ones through them. Liver cancer can be a complex disease. As central Ohio’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, we specialize in treating liver cancer using a multidisciplinary approach. Our team of liver cancer specialists, including medical oncologists, surgeons, radiologists and others, work together to create a customized plan tailored for you. We offer novel therapies only found here including clinical trials and specialized minimally invasive surgery to ensure the best possible outcomes.
What is liver cancer
The liver is the largest internal organ in the body. It’s located on the right side of the abdomen under the lung and is divided into lobes and segments. The liver performs many vital functions such as storing nutrients, and filtering and breaking down toxins in the blood. Liver cancer occurs when a tumor (mass) of abnormal cells replicates and grows out of control in the liver’s tissues. More than 33,000 cases of liver cancer are diagnosed in the United States each year. It affects more males assigned at birth than females. Most liver cancer occurs in people older than 45. Worldwide, this disease is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths. Therefore, early detection and treatment are critical for successful outcomes.
There are primarily two types of liver cancer found in adults: hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma or bile duct cancer. The most common liver cancer cases found in adults is hepatocellular carcinoma; this type of liver cancer accounts for about 80% of all diagnoses and arises from the cells within the liver itself called hepatocytes. Bile duct cancer is another form of liver cancer that comes from the cells lining the bile ducts. Bile ducts are the tubes that connect the liver to the gallbladder and small intestine to allow for transportation and drainage of bile. It’s a rare form of liver cancer and is diagnosed in only about one in 100,000 people.
Cancer that has spread to the liver is more common than cancer that starts from the cells within the liver itself. A cancer that begins in another part of the body, such as the colon, lungs or pancreas, and then spreads to the liver is called metastatic cancer instead of “liver cancer.”
Liver cancer causes
Liver cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow out of control and form a tumor. At this time, the exact cause of why this occurs is unknown. However, researchers have studied some potential risk factors that may increase the chances of developing liver cancer in your lifetime.
Risk factors are anything that could increase the likelihood that you develop a condition. Some of these factors are things you can control while others aren’t. Not everyone who may be at risk will develop liver cancer.
The most common risk factors for liver cancer include:
- Liver disease caused by hepatitis virus infection (HBV or HCV)
- Cirrhosis of the liver
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Exposure to aflatoxin B1, a poisonous substance that can grow on some foods
- Smoking cigarettes
- Other medical conditions like untreated hereditary hemochromatosis, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, glycogen storage disease, porphyria
It’s important to talk to your doctor if you have any of these risk factors for liver cancer.
Liver cancer and liver disease
Liver cancer and liver disease are separate conditions, but many times occur together. Liver cancer occurs when cancerous cells grow and replicate to form a tumor within the liver. In those with liver disease, liver function declines over time. If advanced liver disease is left untreated, it can potentially turn into liver cancer. Treatments for each are different, however, our multidisciplinary team carefully considers the function of the liver when considering treatment options.
Differences between liver cancer and liver disease
Liver disease can progress to liver cancer if left undetected or untreated.
Liver disease occurs in the following stages from early disease to late disease: hepatitis, steatosis or hepatosteatosis, fibrosis and then cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is the most advanced form of liver disease. During this stage, the liver is severely scarred and damaged, which greatly affects how it functions. Over time, cirrhosis can lead to a specific type of liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It’s thought that cirrhosis can change the cell structures within the liver, leading to abnormal genetic mutations in the liver cells. In turn, these abnormal cells will grow and replicate in the liver’s tissues to form a tumor, ultimately resulting in liver cancer.
Both liver disease and liver cancer are attributed to hepatitis infections, excessive alcohol use, tobacco smoke and other medical conditions. However, some symptoms for both liver disease and cancer may overlap. That’s why if you’re at risk of developing liver disease, it’s important to talk to your doctor.
Why choose OSUCCC – James for care
Unique liver cancer treatments only offered here
At the OSUCCC – James, our specialists offer liver cancer treatments only available here in central Ohio. These include use of the hepatic artery infusion, whereby chemotherapy drugs are injected directly into the liver through a surgically implanted hepatic artery infusion pump.
Liver directed therapy with the hepatic artery infusion pump may be used in cholangiocarcinoma that cannot initially undergo surgery. The liver metabolizes chemotherapy directly allowing for higher doses and stronger medicines without any of the standard side effects.
Our team also offers other novel procedures, such as radioembolization, which uses radiation-filled beads placed in the liver to help shrink a tumor, or ablation, which uses heat or electricity to kill a tumor.
Minimally invasive and robotic surgery for liver cancer care
Expert surgeons at the OSUCCC – James are trained to provide minimally invasive and robotic surgery for those diagnosed with liver cancer. These surgical methods can lessen blood loss, reduce postsurgical pain, lead to a faster recovery and minimize overall downtime.
Access to groundbreaking liver cancer clinical trials
The OSUCCC – James offers some of the newest clinical trials entirely devoted to liver cancer. As the nation’s third largest cancer hospital, we have over 500 clinical trials going on at any given time. We offer phase I, phase II and phase III clinical trials for novel anticancer drugs. Your doctors will determine if you’re an ideal candidate to participate.
If you have received a liver cancer diagnosis, or if you want a second opinion or just want to speak to a liver cancer specialist, we are here to help you. Call 800-293-5066 or 614-293-5066 to make an appointment.