Liver cancer

Liver cancer is a liver disease. Characterized by the presence of malignant tumors on or within the liver tissue. The medical terms related to the liver using the Greek root "-Hepat", the word "Hep" which means "liver".
In general, liver tumors are metastatic, implants tumors in other organs on their way to the liver due to its rich network of blood vessels.
Diagnosis is usually by medical imaging, such as computed tomography, ultrasound, or MRI.
Symptoms of liver cancer are nonspecific, often associated with symptoms of the primary tumor. In more advanced cases, the patient may experience pain in the right hypochondrium (abdominal region located just below the ribs on the right), and remodeling the presence of jaundice or abdominal masses.
Not being successful treatment, the patient may progress to liver failure.
Treatment
The definitive diagnosis always depends on an imaging method, either ultrasound, CT (computed tomography) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). The hepatoma usually arises as a "lump" in the liver. A nodule is a training round. In some cases, if doubts remain, it is necessary to do a biopsy. Biopsy is to collect a small portion of the tumor through a needle to be examined under a microscope.
Since liver cancer usually appears without symptoms, who have cirrhosis should be compulsorily submitted to an abdominal ultrasound every six months. This is so that the tumor be caught early and with small dimensions, which means smaller than 5 cm (ping pong ball). At this stage, it is treatable and in some cases, capable of being cured.
Prevention
Some measures can be taken to prevent the disease:
- Reduce alcohol consumption in order to prevent alcoholic cirrhosis.
- Maintain a healthy diet always with reduced consumption of fat. Increase your intake of fiber and fruits.
- Avoid consumption of grains such as corn and peanuts from unknown sources. They may be contaminated with aflatoxins.
- Avoid contact with carcinogenic chemicals, such as pesticides, solvents and heavy metals.
An extremely important measure is the prevention of hepatitis B and hepatitis C. To do this:
- Get vaccinated against hepatitis B.
- Avoid the use of shared syringes, not to defile himself with hepatitis C.
- Learn the health status of their sexual partner and not have sex without protection.
- Seek and secure locations known to get a tattoo, piercing or service manicure and pedicure.
- Always ask for blood tests to check the state of your liver, especially if you belong to any risk group. Write tests for liver enzyme levels and the presence of fat in the liver.