Liver Cancer in Women
Donald Aulds, M.D.
This month is National Liver Cancer Awareness Month and this article will try to approach the subject in women. Liver cancer, that develops primarily in the liver, accounts for only 2% of cancers in the U.S., but can account for up to half of all cancers in some undeveloped countries. This is mainly because of the prevalence of hepatitis which can predispose to liver cancer. The prevalence of liver cancer occurs twice as often in men than women but the incidence has been increasing in women over the past two decades. The other form of cancer is the ones that originate in other organs and spread to the liver.
What can cause liver cancer to occur?
Primary liver cancer has long been known to occur most frequently in livers damaged by birth defects, alcohol abuse, chronic infections such as hepatitis B and C, hemochromatosis (too much iron in the liver, and cirrhosis. The major risk factors also include being 40 or older, malnutrition, use of steroids for strength training, and exposure to arsenic.
What are the symptoms of liver cancer?
Symptoms of liver cancer are not specific for liver cancer and can be identical to symptoms of other diseases. The symptoms may include:
- Loss of appetite
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fever - usually low grade but often chronic
- Weakness and fatigue
- Pain in the upper abdomen usually on the left but sometime in the mid or epigastric region
- Swelling of the abdomen
- Nausea
- Dark urine - due to the body attempting to get rid of extra bile from the body
- Confusion and increased sleepiness
- Jaundice or yellowing of the skin
- Excessive itching of the skin
How is liver cancer diagnosed?
- Physical exam of the abdomen may reveal masses or enlargement of the liver.
- Blood tests are needed to check liver functioning
- X-rays of the chest and abdomen - may show enlargement of the liver
- Evaluation of the liver by ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI can show masses or enlargement of the liver
- Laparoscopy - can give a view of the liver to check for masses of the liver.
- Biopsy can be done by needle biopsy through the skin or during laparoscopy
How is liver cancer treated?
Once the diagnosis of liver cancer is made, the management of primary liver cancer includes surgery which is the chance for cure. Surgery will include remove of the tumor and possible lymph nodes in the area. Other therapy may include chemotherapy and radiation therapy, injection of alcohol into the tumor to attempt to kill the cancer cells, and cryosurgery to destroy the cancer cells by freezing.
What can be done to try to prevent liver cancer?
The only way to attempt to prevent liver cancer, the use of condoms may prevent exposure to hepatitis. The use of alcohol in moderation, no more than two drinks per day for women may help reduce the risk of liver cancer. Obtaining vaccinations for hepatitis B may decrease further risk. Decreased risk can also be obtained by preventing exposure to anabolic steroids and chemicals such as vinyl chloride and arsenic. Smoking, especially if you abuse alcohol as well, also increases risk so decreasing smoking and tobacco use.
If you think you have the above mentioned symptoms, see you physician and discuss you symptoms. Testing can be done to rule out the risk of liver cancer.
More about Dr. Aulds
Donald G. Aulds, MD is an Obstetrician and Gynecologist and currently serves as the Medical Director for both the Women's Center and the Best Start Program of North Alabama. He is a Diplomat of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Dr. Aulds completed his medical education at Louisiana State University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA and his Internship and Residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Ochsner Medical Foundation, New Orleans, LA.
Dr. Aulds has been an active member of the Huntsville Hospital Medical Staff since 1980.
