Liver cancer is a form of cancer which begins in the cells of the liver. Cancer which begins in another area of the body and spreads to the liver is called metastatic cancer of the liver. Metastatic cancer of the liver is more common than liver cancer.

The liver is one of the largest organs in the body. It is placed on the right side of the abdomen, just below the right lung and is protected by the rib cage. The liver’s main job is to filter the blood which comes from the digestive tract before it goes to the rest of the body. It metabolizes medicines and detoxifies chemicals. The liver secretes bile which helps to digest fat. The liver also helps in storing nutrients and releasing glucose as needed by the body.

Liver cancer occurs when cells of the liver develop mutations in their DNA. The DNA is responsible for providing instructions for various chemical processes in the body. DNA mutations cause changes in these instructions, and this may result in the cells growing out of control and forming a tumor.

Types of liver cancer

• Primary liver cancer: This condition is characterized by a malignant tumor which starts in the liver. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of primary liver cancer. This form starts in the hepatocytes, which the main types of liver cells.
• Hepatic cholangiocarcinoma or bile duct cancer: This is a less common type of liver cancer that starts in the bile ducts. The bile duct connects the liver to the gallbladder and bowel.
• Hepatoblastoma: It is a rare type of liver cancer which affects children.
• Angiosarcoma: It is another rare form of cancer which starts in the blood vessels. This form of cancer can begin in the liver, or other parts of the body like spleen, skin, or breasts.

Risk factors for liver cancer
Some of the most common risk factors associated with liver cancer are:

• Hepatitis: Chronic infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) increases the risk of liver cancer.
• Cirrhosis: Liver scarring or cirrhosis is a degenerative and irreversible condition which causes scar tissues to form in the liver and increases the risk of liver cancer.
• Diabetes: People with diabetes face a relatively high risk of liver cancer.
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: An accumulation of fat in the liver increases the risk of tumors.
• Excessive consumption of alcohol: Consuming more than a moderate amount of alcohol every day will damage the liver over a period of a few years. The damage can be irreversible and lead to liver cirrhosis, which increases the risk of cancer.
• Smoking: Consumption of tobacco increase the risk of liver cancer. The risk is higher in smokers who have Hepatitis B or C infection. Studies show that around 20% of patients with liver cancers smoke regularly.
• Aflatoxins: Aflatoxins are poisons produced by molds that grow on poorly stored crops. Most often, corn and peanuts are contaminated with aflatoxins. Chronic exposure to aflatoxins can increase the risk of liver cancer. Safety regulations by the government help limit the aflatoxin level in crops sold and reduce the risk of liver cancer.
• Genetic factors: People with a family history of liver cancer face an increased risk of developing this form of cancer.