Hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, also called hepatoma or liver cancer) is a primary malignancy (cancer) of the liver. Most cases of HCC are secondary to either hepatitis infection (usually hepatitis B or C) or cirrhosis (alcoholism being the most common cause of hepatic cirrhosis). In countries where hepatitis is not endemic, most cancers in the liver are not primary HCC but metastasis (spread) of cancer from elsewhere in the body, e.g. the colon. Treatment options of HCC and prognosis are dependent on many factors but especially on tumor size and staging.

Related Topics:
Malignancy - Liver - Hepatitis - Hepatitis B - C - Cirrhosis - Alcoholism - Metastasis - The colon - Tumor - Staging

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In Sub-Saharan Africa and most other Third World countries the commonly accepted prognosis is a median survival of 3 months from diagnosis. This is partially due to late presentation with large tumours, but also the lack of medical expertise and facilities.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~