Liver cancer, in the early stage, does not present symptoms. The signs appear in the more advanced stage, being the main sudden weight loss, abdominal enlargement, abdominal pain, and jaundice.
Having a risk factor, or even several, does not mean that you will have a disease such as cancer. Many people who contract the disease may not be subject to any known risk factors. If a person with liver cancer has a risk factor, it is often very difficult to know how much that factor may have contributed to the development of the disease.
With that in mind, we have separated some of the risk factors for you to pay attention to liver cancer. Check it out!
Cirrhosis
For those who suffer from cirrhosis, the risk of developing liver cancer over the course of life is 1% to 4%. If there is an association between cirrhosis and infection with the hepatitis B virus, the risk can increase up to 500 times compared to that of a person without these factors.
Infection with the hepatitis B virus
Chronic infection with the hepatitis B virus increases the risk of hepatocarcinoma 140 times. About 50% to 60% of people with this type of cancer are carriers of the hepatitis B virus.
Usually, the interval between infection with the hepatitis B virus and the appearance of liver cancer is several decades. Male patients, of Asian or African origin, chronically infected with the hepatitis B virus for more than 10 years and who regularly consume alcohol are at even higher risk.
Infection with the hepatitis C virus
Infection with the hepatitis C virus is also a risk factor for hepatocarcinomas. Male patients with cirrhosis, in the age range of 60 to 70 years, chronically infected with the hepatitis C virus and who smoke are at higher risk.
Foods containing aflatoxins
Aflatoxins are produced by a type of fungus found in foods stored in inadequate conditions, mainly peanuts, corn, and cassava.
Metabolic diseases
This group includes non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (accumulation of fat in the liver, whose incidence increases in parallel with the obesity epidemic), as well as rarer diseases such as hemochromatosis, a-1 antitrypsin deficiency and tyrosinemia.
Pre-malignant lesions
Liver adenomas are very rarely malignant. On the other hand, hemangiomas, frequently found in liver ultrasonography, are purely benign lesions.
Use of anabolic steroids
The unintentional use of exogenous hormonal therapies increases the risk of liver cancer.
The annual check-up can prevent the development of the disease or lead to its early diagnosis. Consult the specialist doctor, especially if you are part of a risk group.