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Questions and Answers
What is the global ranking of primary liver cancer in terms of incidence?
What is the global ranking of primary liver cancer in terms of incidence?
Which of the following is a major risk factor for primary liver cancer?
Which of the following is a major risk factor for primary liver cancer?
What is the most common type of primary liver cancer?
What is the most common type of primary liver cancer?
What is the primary purpose of imaging in the diagnosis of primary liver cancer?
What is the primary purpose of imaging in the diagnosis of primary liver cancer?
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Which of the following is a palliative treatment option for primary liver cancer?
Which of the following is a palliative treatment option for primary liver cancer?
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What is the 5-year survival rate for cholangiocarcinoma?
What is the 5-year survival rate for cholangiocarcinoma?
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What is the primary role of alpha-fetoprotein in the diagnosis of primary liver cancer?
What is the primary role of alpha-fetoprotein in the diagnosis of primary liver cancer?
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What is the importance of surveillance in primary liver cancer?
What is the importance of surveillance in primary liver cancer?
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Study Notes
Epidemiology
- Primary liver cancer (PLC) is the 6th most common cancer worldwide and the 2nd leading cause of cancer-related deaths.
- Incidence rates vary globally, with highest rates in East Asia and Africa.
- In the US, PLC is relatively rare, accounting for approximately 2% of cancer diagnoses.
Risk Factors
- Chronic hepatitis B and C infections: major risk factors, especially in developing countries.
- Liver cirrhosis: increases risk of PLC.
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): growing concern as a risk factor.
- Exposure to aflatoxins (found in contaminated foods): increases risk.
- Family history of PLC: possible genetic component.
Pathology
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): most common type of PLC (70-90% of cases).
- Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA): 10-20% of PLC cases, originating from bile ducts.
- Other rare types: fibrolamellar carcinoma, sarcoma, and lymphoma.
Clinical Features
- Symptoms often non-specific and occurring late in disease progression:
- Abdominal pain, weight loss, fatigue, and loss of appetite.
- Jaundice, ascites, and bleeding in advanced cases.
- Laboratory tests: elevated alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels, abnormal liver function tests.
Diagnosis
- Imaging: ultrasound, CT, MRI, and PET scans to detect tumors and assess liver function.
- Biopsy: often necessary for diagnosis, especially for CCA.
- Staging: TNM system or Okuda staging system used to determine prognosis and treatment.
Treatment
- Curative options:
- Surgical resection (partial hepatectomy).
- Liver transplantation.
- Palliative options:
- Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE).
- Radiofrequency ablation (RFA).
- Systemic chemotherapy.
- Surveillance: regular imaging and AFP monitoring essential for early detection of recurrence.
Prognosis
- 5-year survival rate: approximately 20-30% for HCC, 10-20% for CCA.
- Early detection and treatment improve outcomes, highlighting importance of surveillance and awareness.
Epidemiology
- Primary liver cancer (PLC) is the 6th most common cancer worldwide and the 2nd leading cause of cancer-related deaths.
- PLC incidence rates vary globally, with the highest rates found in East Asia and Africa.
- In the US, PLC is relatively rare, accounting for approximately 2% of cancer diagnoses.
Risk Factors
- Chronic hepatitis B and C infections are major risk factors for PLC, especially in developing countries.
- Liver cirrhosis increases the risk of PLC.
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a growing concern as a risk factor for PLC.
- Exposure to aflatoxins, found in contaminated foods, increases the risk of PLC.
- A family history of PLC may indicate a possible genetic component.
Pathology
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of PLC, accounting for 70-90% of cases.
- Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) accounts for 10-20% of PLC cases and originates from bile ducts.
- Other rare types of PLC include fibrolamellar carcinoma, sarcoma, and lymphoma.
Clinical Features
- Symptoms of PLC are often non-specific and occur late in disease progression.
- Abdominal pain, weight loss, fatigue, and loss of appetite are common symptoms of PLC.
- Jaundice, ascites, and bleeding may occur in advanced cases of PLC.
- Laboratory tests often reveal elevated alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels and abnormal liver function tests.
Diagnosis
- Imaging tests such as ultrasound, CT, MRI, and PET scans are used to detect tumors and assess liver function.
- Biopsy is often necessary for diagnosis, especially for CCA.
- The TNM system or Okuda staging system is used to determine prognosis and treatment.
Treatment
- Curative treatment options for PLC include surgical resection (partial hepatectomy) and liver transplantation.
- Palliative treatment options for PLC include transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), radiofrequency ablation (RFA), and systemic chemotherapy.
- Surveillance with regular imaging and AFP monitoring is essential for early detection of recurrence.
Prognosis
- The 5-year survival rate for HCC is approximately 20-30%, while it is 10-20% for CCA.
- Early detection and treatment improve outcomes, highlighting the importance of surveillance and awareness.
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Description
Learn about the global incidence rates, risk factors, and causes of primary liver cancer, a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide.
