Lecture on the Liver and Liver Cancer

Introduction to the Liver

• The liver is a vital organ that performs multiple functions:
  • Metabolizes proteins, carbohydrates, and fats
  • Produces bile for digestion
  • Regulates blood glucose levels
  • Stores glycogen and vitamins (A, B12, D, E, K)
  • Detoxifies harmful substances such as alcohol and drugs
• Liver damage, such as cancer, can be life-threatening

Types of Liver Cancer

• Primary Liver Cancer:
  • Originates in the liver
  • Most common type: Hepatocellular carcinoma (affects hepatocytes)
    • Accounts for 75-85% of primary liver cancers
  • Other types include bile duct cancer
• Secondary Liver Cancer:
  • Also known as metastatic liver cancer
  • Cancer spreads to the liver from another part of the body (metastasis)
  • More common than primary liver cancer

Understanding Metastasis

• Cancer cells spread via blood or lymphatic vessels
• Common cancers that spread to the liver:
  • Colorectal, breast, lung, pancreatic cancers
• Secondary liver cancer is prevalent due to the liver's large blood supply

Risk Factors for Liver Cancer

• Primary Liver Cancer:
  • Chronic liver damage from hepatitis B and C, alcohol consumption, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
  • Cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) is a significant risk factor
  • Obesity, type 2 diabetes, tobacco smoking
  • Genetic factors
• Secondary Liver Cancer:
  • Reducing risk involves early detection of primary cancers

Importance of Accurate Information

• Prevent misinformation regarding diseases like cancer
• Ground News app as a tool for accurate, reliable news sources

Treatment and Survival Rates

• Hepatocellular Carcinoma:
  • 5-year survival rate: 20% overall
  • Localized cancer: 35%
  • Spread to lymph nodes: 12-13%
  • Distant spread: 3%
• Treatment Options:
  • Surgical resection can be curative, dependent on liver health
  • Liver transplant is rare
  • Ablation and embolization for non-surgical candidates
  • Targeted drug therapies and immunotherapy

Conclusion

• Early detection and understanding risk factors are crucial
• Support for ongoing research and reliable information dissemination is important