WHat is Cancer
Cancer is the uncontrolled division of cells due to genetic changes which results in damage to the body [1]. The increased number of replicating cells, in most cases, creates a tumor which is essentially a mass [1]. These tumors can be benign of malignant [1]. Benign tumors are not cancerous and stay where they began growing [1]. However, they are able to grow quite large [1]. In comparison, malignant tumors are cancerous in nature [1]. They have the capabilities to invade other parts of the body and causing cancer in those regions as well [1].
Primary Types of Liver Cancer
Hepatocellular Carcinoma
This is the most common type of liver cancer [1]. Carcinoma is another word for cancer. It develops in the hepatocytes and can come in different forms [1]. These forms include nodular, massive or diffuse [1]. Nodular hepatocellular carcinoma presents as several discrete nodules, massive is seen as having a large tumor with satellite nodules, and diffuse refers to the carcinoma as consisting of small nodules throughout the liver [1]. This type of liver cancer is mainly associated to those with chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis as a major risk factor [1]. As the lung is an organ that has great vascular access, the carcinogenic cells are able to invade into the hepatic and portal veins to metastasize to other organs, mainly the heart and lungs [1].
Cholangiocellular Carcinoma
Liver cancer of this nature is much more rare compared to hepatocellular carcinoma with it being less than 1% of all liver cancers in Canada [1]. In contrast to hepatocellular carcinoma, this liver cancer does not form in the hepatocytes but rather in the bile duct [1]. It is able to form anywhere along the duct and can even extend directly into the liver [1]. This cancer is mainly associated with an rare autoimmune disease called primary sclerosing cholangitis and liver flukes [1]. As such, this form of liver cancer can be seen more in geographic areas that are prevalent with liver flukes [1].
This is the most common type of liver cancer [1]. Carcinoma is another word for cancer. It develops in the hepatocytes and can come in different forms [1]. These forms include nodular, massive or diffuse [1]. Nodular hepatocellular carcinoma presents as several discrete nodules, massive is seen as having a large tumor with satellite nodules, and diffuse refers to the carcinoma as consisting of small nodules throughout the liver [1]. This type of liver cancer is mainly associated to those with chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis as a major risk factor [1]. As the lung is an organ that has great vascular access, the carcinogenic cells are able to invade into the hepatic and portal veins to metastasize to other organs, mainly the heart and lungs [1].
Cholangiocellular Carcinoma
Liver cancer of this nature is much more rare compared to hepatocellular carcinoma with it being less than 1% of all liver cancers in Canada [1]. In contrast to hepatocellular carcinoma, this liver cancer does not form in the hepatocytes but rather in the bile duct [1]. It is able to form anywhere along the duct and can even extend directly into the liver [1]. This cancer is mainly associated with an rare autoimmune disease called primary sclerosing cholangitis and liver flukes [1]. As such, this form of liver cancer can be seen more in geographic areas that are prevalent with liver flukes [1].
Staging
Cancer can be categorized into different stages based on the severity of the development of the cancer [2]. Later stages generally have a poorer prognosis compared to earlier stages [2]. Detection earlier rather than later greatly improves survival rates [2]. It is common for liver cancer to metastasize due to the high vascularity of the liver [3].
References
- Huether, S. E., & McCance, K. L. (2017). Understanding Pathophysiology (1st Canadian edition). El-Hussein, M. T., Power-Kean, K., & Zettel, S. (Eds.). Milton, ON: Elsevier Canada.
- Cancer Statistics Canada (2018). A 2018 special report on cancer incidence by stage. Retrieved from http://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-101/canadian-cancer-statistics-publication/?region=on.
Image References
Dash, M. (2016). Key technology challenges for the health care industry. Retrieved from: https://tokbox.com/blog/key-technology-challenges-for-the-healthcare-industry/