What To Know About Liver Cancer

Liver cancer is a diagnosis you don't want to receive. However, receiving it as soon as possible makes for the best prognosis. If you suspect you may have liver cancer, it's helpful to know a little about it before you consult with a specialist. At our practice in Margate, FL, Dr. Vladimir Donchev diagnoses and helps those with liver cancer. And this is what you should know about this cancer.

Genetics Aren't the Only Cause

 Yes, if you have a parent, sibling, or child with liver cancer, you're more at risk. You're also more likely to develop it if you have certain genetic conditions, like hemochromatosis or porphyria. 

However, there are other reasons why you may develop this cancer, such as the following:

• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Have non-alcoholic fatty liver
• Have chronic hepatitis, including hepatitis B and C.

Some People Should Get Screened Regularly 

 Currently, there isn't a test recommended for early detection, such as colonoscopy. However, if you have a family history of liver cancer, you should consult with your specialist to determine for testing regularly.

For instance, our practitioner may recommend you undergo a blood test to look for alpha-fetoprotein, a liver cancer marker. A routine ultrasound can also detect any masses.

Know the Signs

 Your liver is a rather resilient organ. Therefore, sometimes, you won't have any symptoms early on. However, if you do have symptoms initially or once it's progressing, these are what to look for:

• Weight loss
• Appetite loss
• Nausea
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Itching
• Jaundice
• Abdominal pain or swelling

What to Expect During the Diagnostic Process

If you have any signs, we recommend you contact us immediately. You can discuss with our Margate, FL, specialist if your symptoms could be liver cancer. When it's a possibility, you'll be asked to undergo a computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) along with an alphafenoprotein blood test.

When a definitive cancer diagnosis can't be made through these alone, our practitioner will ask you to undergo a biopsy on any masses.

What You Can Expect From Treatment 

It's important to know that your treatment approach depends on the stage of the cancer. In the early stages, surgical removal could be enough.

When the tumor has spread or is too large to remove surgically, radiation therapy may be a treatment. Other treatments could include chemotherapy or immunotherapy.

You can visit Dr. Donchev in Margate, FL, for a screening, especially if you have risk factors or symptoms. Our practitioner can ask you questions and perform various diagnostics to check you for liver cancer and intervene as soon as possible. By diagnosing it early, we can get you treatment before it spreads.

Call (754) 220-8100.