by Leonard Konis

Created on: February 19, 2007   Last Updated: April 18, 2007

Largest internal organ in the human body is the liver, and situated in the upper abdomen, on the right side of the body. Various vital functions are performed by this organ: Makes some of the clotting factors needed to stop bleeding from injury or cut, processes and stores many of the nutrients absorbed from the intestines, secrets bile (Yellow - green fluid passes through the common bile duct into the duodenum (small intestine), where it helps digest fat.) into the intestine to help absorb nutrients, and critically important to remove toxic wastes from the body. Cells within the liver can form tumors, could either cancerous or benign (not cancerous). Benign Tumors are Hemangioma (may need to be removed surgically), Hepatic adenomas (Sometimes attributed to taking birth control pills and men who use anabolic steroids. Sometimes is surgically removed.), and focal nodular hyperplasia. Most common type of liver cancer (tumor) is called hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This type of cancer can spread to other parts of the liver, and in most cases, symptoms do not develop until the advanced stages. One or two of every ten cases of liver cancer is cholangiocarcinoma (Malignant (cancerous) growth in one of the ducts that carries bile from the liver to the small intestine.). Cancer that begins in the liver is call primary liver cancer and cancer that enters the liver from the colon, lungs, breasts or other parts of the body is called secondary cancer. The majority of cancers seen in the liver are of a secondary type (Originates from the stomach, pancreas, and large bowel (colon)).

Liver cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the world and many cases difficult to treat. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 19,160 new cases of liver cancer will be diagnosed in the US during 2007. In the United States, average age onset of liver cancer is sixty to seventy years. The disease occurs more frequently in males (Eighty-five percent - 45 to 85 years old) than females. The development of heptaocellular carcinoma is strongly linked to chronic hepatitis 'B' (Virus in the liver causes a life long infection, liver failure and death. In many cases attributed to chronic alcohol abuse. Most people who become infected with hepatitis 'B' are treatable and cured within six months). Also, HCC attributed to cirrhosis (Chronic degenerative damage to the liver cells caused primarily by long term alcoholism) of the liver due to hepatitis C' infection. Symptoms of liver

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