Liver Cancer Treatment in Lafayette, LA

All forms of cancer relate to an abnormal growth of cells within a particular area of the body. Cancer of the liver is an especially common form of cancer that affects people not only in Lafayette, but millions of people all over the world.

Two Different Types of Liver Cancer

There is a primary distinction between two different types of liver cancer, one being known as primary liver cancer, and the other as metastatic liver cancer. Primary liver cancer is cancer that has originated in the liver, whereas metastatic liver cancer is cancer that has spread to the liver from another area of the body.

As we are first and foremost concerned about the source of the cancer, the rest of the information provided will pertain specifically to primary liver cancer.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma

A majority of adults with liver cancer will have a type that is classified as hepatocellular. This form of cancer is especially common in those with chronic liver diseases such as:

• Cirrhosis of the liver
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C

Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

Another frequently diagnosed form of liver cancer is one that exists within the tubes that carry bile from the liver to the gallbladder, which are known as the bile ducts. The treatment of bile duct cancer is quite similar to that of other common kinds of liver cancer, such as hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hemangiosarcoma and Angiosarcoma

Both these cancers of the liver are very rare. They pertain to a unique form of liver cancer that exists within the lining of the organ’s blood cells, rather than in the rest of the liver tissue. The rarity of these cancers also makes them exceptionally difficult to treat.

Hepatoblastoma

Sadly, many children are also at risk for developing liver cancer. The most common form among these young age groups is a type of liver cancer known as hepatoblastoma. Fortunately, a combination of chemotherapy and radiation has proven incredibly helpful in treating a majority of children with this illness.

Symptoms of Liver Cancer

One of the best ways to increase your odds of beating liver cancer is to detect it as soon as possible. This can be achieved through regular screenings and physicals, in addition to being aware of the specific symptoms associated with liver cancer, which include:

• Pain in the upper region of the abdomen
• Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Unexplained weight loss
• Stools that appear white in color and/or chalky in consistency
• Inflammation of the abdomen
• Sudden loss of appetite