maksasyöpien

Maksasyöpien refers to cancerous tumors that originate in the liver. These can be classified as primary liver cancers, meaning they start in the liver cells, or secondary liver cancers, which are metastases from cancers that began elsewhere in the body, such as the colon, lungs, or breasts. The most common type of primary liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which arises from hepatocytes, the main functional cells of the liver. Another, less common type of primary liver cancer is cholangiocarcinoma, which originates in the bile ducts.

Risk factors for primary liver cancer include chronic infection with hepatitis B or C viruses, cirrhosis of the liver often caused by alcohol abuse or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and exposure to certain toxins like aflatoxins. Symptoms can be vague and may include jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, and fatigue. Diagnosis typically involves imaging tests such as ultrasound, CT scans, or MRI, often followed by a biopsy.

Treatment options depend on the type and stage of the cancer, as well as the patient's overall health. These can include surgery to remove the tumor, liver transplantation, ablation therapies that destroy cancer cells with heat or cold, embolization techniques that block blood supply to the tumor, and systemic therapies like chemotherapy or targeted drug therapy. Early detection is crucial for improving prognosis, but many liver cancers are diagnosed at later stages when treatment options may be more limited.