maksasolusyövän

Maksasolusyöpä, also known as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is the most common type of primary liver cancer. It originates in the hepatocytes, the main cells of the liver. While it can occur in otherwise healthy livers, it is most frequently seen in individuals with chronic liver disease, particularly cirrhosis.

The development of HCC is often a slow process, arising from long-standing liver damage. Major risk factors include chronic infection with hepatitis B (HBV) or hepatitis C (HCV) viruses, excessive alcohol consumption, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which can progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Other less common causes include hemochromatosis and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.

Symptoms of early-stage HCC are often absent or vague, leading to diagnosis at later stages. When symptoms do appear, they can include abdominal pain, a palpable mass in the upper right abdomen, unexplained weight loss, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), fatigue, and loss of appetite. In some cases, complications such as bleeding from esophageal varices (swollen veins in the esophagus) can be the first sign.

Diagnosis typically involves a combination of blood tests, including alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels, and imaging techniques such as ultrasound, CT scans, and MRI scans. A liver biopsy may be performed to confirm the diagnosis and determine the specific type of cancer.

Treatment options for HCC depend on the stage of the cancer, the overall health of the patient, and the underlying condition of the liver. These can include surgical resection (removal of the tumor), liver transplantation, ablation therapies (destroying cancer cells with heat or cold), and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). Systemic therapies like targeted drugs and immunotherapy are also used for advanced cases. Prevention strategies focus on managing risk factors, such as vaccination against hepatitis B and effective treatment for hepatitis C, as well as limiting alcohol intake and maintaining a healthy weight.