Hepatocellular carcinoma, popularly known as liver cancer, is a type of cancer that grows in the hepatic parenchyma. This type of disease is usually not apparent until it is too late. It develops silently and usually without giving out many symptoms. However, we do know about risk factors and other elements that give us a clue as to which patients are at a higher risk. We know for sure that one of the causes of the disease is related to the hepatitis virus. Thus, any strategy to eliminate liver cancer should include vaccination against hepatitis B.
But besides the public health attempts to control the disease, you can also do a lot as a patient. Prevention should start by understanding the disease and knowing what to do if you have any suspicion.
In this article, you will find everything you need to detect liver cancer in different stages of the disease.
Early disease
In the early stage of the disease, most patients won’t display any particular symptom. Thus, the first item in the list should be:
No symptoms
This initial stage features progressive growth of the tumor. If the tumor is not causing any obstruction, it may not trigger any symptoms at all. If the patient has developed liver cancer without another comorbidity such as cirrhosis or hepatitis, he may feel entirely healthy for many months. During this stage, patients may experience unspecific symptoms such as tiredness and abdominal discomfort. However, they are not as intense to become a cause of concern.
