5 causes of liver cancer you need to know

Cirrhosis, hepatitis B and C virus infection, alcohol... are all risk factors for liver cancer.

Liver cancer includes primary and secondary liver cancer. Primary liver cancer develops from cells in the liver. Secondary liver cancer is caused by cancer cells from other parts of the body entering the liver and causing metastatic tumors.

Liver cancer currently ranks third among the 10 most common cancers in men in our country; with more than 9,000 cases each year (possibly increasing to more than 11,000 by 2020). The disease is difficult to screen for early detection because in the early stages, the symptoms are often vague and rarely noticed.

Dr. Pham The Anh, Head of the Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, K Hospital (Hanoi) pointed out 5 causes of liver cancer:

Cirrhosis

80% of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have cirrhosis. Therefore, risk factors for cirrhosis are considered risk factors for HCC.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV)

HBV infection increases the risk of developing HCC 100-fold. About 80% of HCC cases worldwide and 70% in Vietnam are caused by HBV. Each year, about 0.5% of people with chronic HBV infection will develop HCC.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV)

This virus is responsible for about 30-50% of HCC cases in the US, and 7% of HCC cases in Vietnam.

Ale

Regular alcohol consumption is an important cause of cirrhosis. Alcoholic cirrhosis accounts for about 15% of HCC cases.

Some diseases

Hemochromatosis, hereditary tyrosinemia, and chronic active autoimmune hepatitis are causes of cirrhosis and significantly increase the risk of developing HCC.

In addition, other factors for which there is less convincing evidence include aflatoxin B1 poisoning (secreted from Aspergillus fungus), androgenic steroids, thorotrast (contrast agent), oral contraceptives, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

How to prevent liver cancer

- Hepatitis B vaccination is the most important measure.

- Stay away from toxic substances that can potentially cause cancer, such as moldy or contaminated food.

- Limit alcohol, tobacco, stimulants...

- Regular health check every 6 months.

- Be physically active.

- Reasonable diet, limit greasy foods, grilled foods, add fiber in fruits, green vegetables...

According to VNE