By Pailamod Paila
Liver cancer is a life-threatening disease that can be extremely devastating to anyone who is afflicted with it as well as those around him. Anyone experiencing symptoms associated with cancer of the liver should seek medical care at the soonest possible time. Symptoms of cancer of the liver are not usually recognizable as a manifestation of the disease as they are not unusual - loss of appetite and weight, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, and general weakness. Those who experience extreme symptoms like abdominal swelling and yellowish discoloration of skin and eyes would most likely be in the advance stages of liver cancer. Medical care for anyone afflicted with cancer of the liver is a must.
Primary liver cancer instances in the United States are increasing over the years as are metastatic cancer or cancer that spreads to the liver from other parts of the body. These cancers are not labelled as liver cancer but as metastatic cancer of whatever organ they originated from (i.e. metastatic colon cancer for cancer of the colon spreading into the liver). Treatment for these types of cancers are done in the originating organ rather than in the liver itself. In extreme cases or cases where the cancer can no longer be treated, medical care and pain management procedures are done to maintain a patient's quality of life.
Depending on what stage the cancer is, primary liver cancer can be treated to either remove or slow down the development of the disease. Common treatment procedures would include surgery, alcohol injection, radiofrequency ablation, chemoembolization, radiation therapy, and liver transplant. With surgery, otherwise called as surgical resection, the area where the cancer cells are found is completely removed. This treatment is recommended for those with cirrhosis of the liver. Surgery is not guaranteed to stop the development of cancer as it can still recur in the remaining liver or in other areas of the body within a few years. Liver transplantation is another surgical procedure that can be considered for those in the early stages of cancer but not for those with larger tumors.
Drug-based treatments such as alcohol injection, chemoembolization, and chemotherapy can also be done to kill the cancer cells. Alcohol injection uses pure alcohol that is injected directly into the tumors to dry out the cancer cells and eventually kill them. This has been known to increase the survival rate of those who have hapatocellular tumors. Chemoembolization and chemotherapy, on the other hand, introduce anti-cancer drugs into the body either systemically or directly to the liver. Chemotherapy is not entirely effective in most cases as is chemoembolization since it only works to shrink the tumors in most patients.
Radiofrequency ablation and radiation therapy makes use of electric current and energy beams in destroying cancer cells. Unresectable hepatocellular tumors are targeted by these procedures. Both procedures are more effective than drug treatments in treating malignant cells although they also pose higher risks in terms of complications.
Anyone who has been diagnosed with liver cancer should not brush it off. The earlier the cancer is detected and treatment is commenced, the better it is for the patient. Liver cancer patients should seek the right medical care for their affliction.
Please visit Liver Cancer and Yeast Infection for more information.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pailamod_Paila
By George McKenzie
Liver cancer claimed about 13-thousand lives in the United States about ten years ago. Since then, deaths from liver cancer have shot up almost 40 percent. The American Liver Foundation says liver cancer deaths will soon reach 19-thousand a year, and the rate is expected to continue to climb as Americans abuse their livers in a variety of ways.
Liver cancer is often preceded by other liver conditions, especially fatty liver disease and cirrhosis. These conditions usually result from drinking too much alcohol (cirrhosis), and by eating too many foods that are not, in the long run, liver friendly (fatty liver disease).
And cases of hepatitis, a viral infection that attacks the liver, are on the increase too.
In cases of cirrhosis, which is usually brought on by overuse of alcohol, the liver becomes scarred. The scar tissue starts replacing healthy liver tissue. When the liver is scarred, the liver tissue becomes harder and the liver doesn't function as it should.
Cirrhosis can also be caused by hepatitis. Hepatitis C, is now the fourth-leading cause of deaths related to liver cancer in the United States. More than 4 million Americans have been infected with hepatitis C, and about 1.5 million have been infected with hepatitis B. A vaccine is available to protect against the hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis C can be treated with the help of a medical professional.
Fatty liver can also be caused by drinking too much. But fatty liver can result from a poor diet.
Fatty liver disease can result from overeating, eat food that's not healthy, or from not getting enough exercise. In these circumstances, large droplets of fat begin to form in the liver. When this happens, the liver starts producing more enzymes. Abnormal amounts of enzymes may inflame liver tissue, leading to scarring.
Obesity and diabetes are major causes of fatty liver disease. Recent statistics say as many as 1 in 5 Americans now have it.
Health authorities in both the United States and Canada agree that fatty liver disease, caused by obesity, is now a larger general threat to health than cirrhosis.
Fatty liver disease and cirrhosis can be prevented by avoiding alcohol and eating a modest, balanced diet.
Liver function tests can detect many forms of liver disease. These can be especially important since many symptoms of liver disease (and even liver cancer) sometimes don't appear until the disease has progressed significantly.
George McKenzie is a retired TV anchor and radio talk show host. He often contributes articles to Liver Health and Wellness, a resource site about the human liver.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=George_McKenzie
By: Marcus Stout
Throughout the world, cancer remains a leading cause of death. All told, more than six million people around the globe die of the disease each year. Cancer has become a particular concern in China, where the mortality rate from the disease has been on the rise. In fact, some 1.5 million people in China died of cancer in the year 2000.
For Chinese men, the most common form of cancer is cancer of the stomach, followed by liver cancer, cancer of the oesophagus, lung cancer, and intestinal cancers. Stomach cancer is also most common for women, followed by uterine, oesophagus, lung, and liver cancer.
An Increase in Western Cancers
Because of the increase in economic development in China, it appears that the nation is witnessing an increase in cancers most common in the West.
As a result, the incidence of breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers in China is expected to rise exponentially. This stands to reason, given the fact that such cancers have increased a great deal in Taiwan and Hong Kong as those nations have modernized.
In an effort to stem the cancer tide, the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association is screening a million Chinese women over six years. The project is designed to help save lives through early detection.
Geographical Considerations
Cancers in China also appear to vary by geography. For the most part, cancer is most prevalent in East China, North China, and Northwest China. Cancer is decidedly less common in South China, Southwest China, and Northeast China.
It has been said that the highest cancer mortality rate occurs in the city of Shanghia and in the provinces of Jaingsu, Fujian, and Zhejiang.
For cancer of the oesophagus in particular, the worst mortality rate occurs in North China, specifically the Henan, Hebei, and Shanxi provinces. It appears that, in the outer reaches of these provinces, the mortality rate is less severe than in the inner reaches. There is some indication that oesophagus cancer may be linked to nitrites, although the evidence is not conclusive.
The Tobacco Factor
Because of widespread tobacco use in China, cases of lung cancer in the nation are expected to increase significantly. Currently, China is home to some 320 million smokers—in fact, it’s considered to be the smoking capital of the world.
By the year 2025, as many as two million Chinese residents may die of lung cancer and other tobacco-related diseases each year.
Other Risk Factors
There are additional environmental factors which may contribute to the increase in cancer in China. For instance, an upsurge in the Hepatitis B infection may be responsible for the high incidence of liver cancer in the Asian nation. And stomach cancer may be exacerbated by the Chinese diet of high-salt fermented food and unsanitary food storage procedures.
Examining Oesophageal Cancer In-Depth
Because of the prevalence of cancer of the oesophagus in China, it only makes sense that researchers would take a closer look at ways the Chinese might be able to cut their risk for this form of cancer.
A research team at the Harbin Medical College in China decided to zero in on the factors leading to oesophageal cancer in northeast China. In an article entitled, “Risk Factors for Oesophageal Cancer in Northeast China,” J. Hu and his research team document a hospital-based study of oesophageal cancer in the Heilongjiang Province.
It should be pointed out that this province is actually a low-risk area for this form of cancer. However, from May of 1985 to May of 1989, dozens of cancer patients were interviewed in the wards of several major hospitals for the purpose of the study.
Serious Risk Factors
The research team gathered evidence relating to diet, socio-economic status, incidence of smoking, and alcohol use. Not surprisingly, the researchers found that smoking and alcohol consumption appeared to be significant risk factors for cancer of the oesophagus. Those people who had smoked handmade cigarettes were at the greatest risk.
Reducing the Risk
The Chinese researchers found that there were demonstrated ways that people could reduce their risk of developing oesophageal cancer. For instance, eating a greater amount of fruits and vegetables lowered oesophageal cancer risk by 35 percent. By the same token, upping vitamin C intake by 100 mg reduced the risk of cancer of the oesophagus by 39 percent.
The researchers also found that using salt did not seem to increase the risk for oesophageal cancer. Likewise, foods preserved in salt and pickled vegetables offered no heightened risk.
Combating Cancer Over the Long Term
Treating cancer of the oesophagus and other cancers is a particular challenge in China and the rest of the developing world. That’s because the cancers tend to be discovered late when the chances of successful treatment are much lower.
Treatment may also be difficult because the nation’s pain medications tend to be less effective than those found in the West. As a result, groups such as the American Cancer Society are working to improve the quality of life for Chinese cancer patients, particularly in the area of pain medication.
Throughout the world, cancer remains a leading cause of death. All told, more than six million people around the globe die of the disease each year. Cancer has become a particular concern in China, where the mortality rate from the disease has been on the rise. In fact, some 1.5 million people in China died of cancer in the year 2000. For Chinese men, the most common form of cancer is cancer of the stomach, followed by liver cancer, cancer of the oesophagus, lung cancer, a...
Marcus Stout is President of the Golden Moon Tea Company. For more information about tea, green tea and wu long tea go to http://www.goldenmoontea.com
Article Source: http://www.eArticlesOnline.com
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