What is primary liver cancer?
Primary liver cancer (cancer that starts in the liver) develops silently with few symptoms until it is well advanced. Treatment can then be difficult.
The main cause of primary liver cancer, (hepatocellular carcinoma, or HCC) is cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) as a result of damage over a long period of time.
78% of primary liver cancer worldwide results from hepatitis B or C virus infection. One exposure to the virus through blood or body fluids is enough to become infected. There are often few symptoms of hepatitis B or C infection and so people can have the virus for decades without knowing. Learn more...
Alcohol
If you regularly drink more than a pint or two of beer, or a couple of glasses of wine each day, you risk damaging your liver. Drinking alcohol to excess can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer, and can speed damage from hepatitis B and C viruses. Learn more...
Fatty deposits can build up in your liver and cause inflammation and liver damage. This is more likely if you are overweight or obese and don’t exercise. Obesity can also speed up the liver damage from hepatitis C and alcoholic liver disease. Learn more...
A genetic disorder, haemochromatosis; long-term exposure to aflatoxin (a toxin found in mouldy rice, wheat, peanuts, corn and soybeans); smoking, long-term use of anabolic steroids and rarely a disease of the bile ducts, primary biliary cirrhosis can all increase your risk of liver cancer.
Take simple precautions to protect yourself and your family.
- Get vaccinated against B
- Use a condom when you have sex
- Don't share equipment which could have been contaminated with blood or body fluids, such as syringes, needles, razors, clippers, toothbrushes or scissors
- Only use licensed tattoo and piercing studios and make sure equipment is sterile
- Avoid medical or dental treatment in countries of high risk
- Stick to the recommended drinking guidelines and give your liver at least 2 days a week free from alcohol
- Watch your diet and take regular exercise
If you, your friends or family think you could have been exposed to liver damage, visit your GP or GUM clinic and ask for a blood test to check for viral hepatitis and/or liver function.
Identifying viral infection and receiving effective treatment before liver damage has set in, reduces the risk of liver cancer dramatically.
For alcohol and fatty liver disease, treatment will involve lifestyle changes to diet and exercise and careful monitoring.
If cirrhosis is already present, regular screening will help to spot any early signs of liver cancer, when tumours are smaller and easier to treat. |
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