Information From Your Health Care Provider

HEPATOMA

(Hepatocellular Carcinoma)

Basic information

description

Hepatoma is a malignant tumor that begins in the liver. This is a primary liver cancer. Cancers that develop elsewhere in the body (such as the breast) and spread to the liver are secondary liver cancers. Hepatoma is more common in men and in those over the age of 40.

FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

There may be no symptoms.
Hard lump in the right upper abdomen.
Weight and appetite loss.
Jaundice (yellow skin and eyes).
Abdominal pain that feels like a pulled muscle.
Low blood sugar (weakness, sweating, hunger, tremor, and headache).
Fever.
Fluid in the abdomen; enlarged spleen.
Unusual bleeding.

causes

Exact cause is unknown. Hepatomas are most often associated with liver disease, but they can develop in persons without known risk factors.

risk increases with

Cirrhosis of the liver.
Chronic hepatitis B virus infection.
Chronic hepatitis C virus infection.
Alcoholic liver disease; nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.
Hemochromatosis (excess iron in the body).
Long-term diet exposure to fungal aflatoxins (mostly found in foods in Asia and Africa).
There are other known, but more rare risk factors.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

No specific preventive measures. Steps can be taken to reduce a person's risk factors.
Avoid alcohol or drink no more than 1 or 2 alcoholic drinks a day.
Vaccine to prevent hepatitis B in high-risk persons.
Screening tests for high-risk persons to diagnose and treat cancer at an early stage.

expected outcomes

The outcome depends on the stage (extent) of the cancer and also the patient's health and age. Smaller tumors along with early diagnosis and treatment can provide a better outcome. Survival prognosis is poor with later diagnosis and larger tumors.

possible complications

Liver failure.
Internal bleeding.
Spread to other organs, especially the lungs, adrenal glands, and bones.

diagnosis & treatment

general measures

Your health care provider will do a physical exam and ask questions about your symptoms. Medical tests may include blood studies and liver function tests. Other tests are usually done to confirm the diagnosis and to determine if cancer has spread (called staging).
Treatment will depend on the stage of the cancer, your health, and your preferences. Treatments may involve surgery (such as for small or slow-growing tumors), chemotherapy (anticancer drugs), and radiation (less often used). Alternative treatment methods include embolization, radiofrequency ablation, cryotherapy, injections of alcohol, and others. Your health care provider will discuss the options with you.
Liver transplantation may be recommended for certain patients.
Counseling may help in coping with this disorder.
To learn more: American Cancer Society; (800) ACS-2345; website: www.cancer.org or National Cancer Institute; (800) 4-CANCER; website: www.nci.nih.gov.

medications

For minor discomfort, you may use nonprescription drugs such as acetaminophen. Stronger pain relievers will be prescribed as needed.
Anticancer drugs may be prescribed.

activity

Stay as active as your strength allows.

diet

No special diet. Don't drink alcohol.

notify our office if

You or a family member has symptoms of hepatoma.
Signs of bleeding develop, especially from the gastrointestinal tract. Signs include bloody vomit or vomit that contains black material resembling coffee grounds, blood in the stool, or black, tarry stools.