Liver Cancer

About

Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most frequently-occurring cancers in the world. It develops most often in people who have liver damage from infection with the hepatitis B or C virus, alcohol use, or fatty liver disease. It can also result from certain environmental factors, genetic diseases such as hereditary hemochromatosis, and from other health conditions, especially obesity and diabetes. Although anyone, including children, can develop hepatocellular carcinoma, men 40 years of age and older are at greatest risk.

Symptoms of primary liver cancer, such as unintended weight loss, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, usually don't appear until the disease is quite advanced and harder to treat. When therapy can no longer improve the cancer itself, Mayo physicians offer treatments to help relieve symptoms and improve well-being.

Read more about liver cancer at MayoClinic.com.