Liver Cancer!
Liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) most commonly affects patients with cirrhosis.
Can even occur in non cirrhotics.
More common in males.
Most commonly occurs in cirrhosis due to hepatitis b virus.
Other causes of cirrhosis that commonly lead to hepatocellular carcinoma (hcc)- hepatitis c virus, alcohol associated, non alcoholic fatty liver.
Is hcc curable?
Yes if detected at at early stage treatment options do exist.
If a patient is diagnosed to have hcc and it is at an advanced stage-- there are therapies today which can help to prolong the overall survival.
How to screen for hcc in patients of cirrhosis?
Most commonly available tests are abdominal ultrasound and serum alfa-feto protein.
When should a cirrhotic patient get screened for hcc?
Ideally every year with usg and if there is any worsening like sudden abdominal distension, weight loss over a month or so.