Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of liver cancer in patients with hepatitis or cirrhosis (scarring of the liver). Cirrhosis and long-term liver inflammation, which can occur from a viral infection like hepatitis C, increase the risk of malignant (cancer) cells forming in the liver. Liver cancer sometimes causes symptoms like a bump on the right side, pain in the abdomen, nausea and vomiting, yellowing of the eyes or skin, unusual fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss or fever. If you have cirrhosis or hepatitis and develop any of these symptoms, you should check with your doctor.
Since liver cancer does not always cause symptoms, it is recommended that patients with cirrhosis of the liver receive scans (like ultrasound) every 6 months. If you have cirrhosis, your doctor may also determine that you need regular blood tests to detect liver cancer. Abnormal results found on scans or lab tests may require confirmatory testing like a CT (CAT) scan, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or liver biopsy. The prognosis and treatment of liver cancer depends on the number of tumors, the size of tumors, whether the cancer has spread beyond the liver, how well your liver is working and your overall medical health.
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