Maksansyöpä

Maksansyöpä, also known as liver cancer, refers to the abnormal growth of cells within the liver. There are two main categories of liver cancer: primary liver cancer, which originates in the liver cells themselves, and secondary liver cancer (or metastatic liver cancer), which starts elsewhere in the body and spreads to the liver. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer. Other less common primary liver cancers include cholangiocarcinoma, which arises from the bile ducts within the liver, and hepatoblastoma, a rare form found in children.

Risk factors for developing primary liver cancer include chronic infection with the hepatitis B or C viruses, cirrhosis of the liver (often caused by alcohol abuse, fatty liver disease, or viral hepatitis), and exposure to aflatoxins, a poison produced by certain molds that can contaminate food. Certain inherited metabolic diseases can also increase risk. Symptoms can be vague and may include abdominal pain, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and swelling in the abdomen.

Diagnosis typically involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, blood tests (including those to detect liver function and tumor markers), and imaging techniques such as ultrasound, CT scans, and MRI. A liver biopsy may be performed to confirm the diagnosis and determine the type of cancer. Treatment options depend on the stage of the cancer, the patient's overall health, and the presence of underlying liver disease. These may include surgery (resection or transplantation), ablation therapies, embolization, radiation therapy, and systemic therapies like targeted drugs or chemotherapy.