Liver CA Flashcards
1
Q
primary liver CA
A
CA first formed in the liver
2
Q
secondary liver CA
A
CA formed in another area and then spreads to the liver
3
Q
why is secondary liver CA more common
A
- liver is richly vascularized (blood circulation needed to carry CA cells to secondary site)
- liver is large (CA cells have room to grow)
4
Q
two primary forms
A
- hepatocellular carcinoma
2. cholangiocarcinomas
5
Q
hepatocellular carcinoma arises where
A
arises in hepatocytes
6
Q
etiology of hepatocellular carcinoma and examples
A
chronic liver diseases
- ex. hepatitis C –> virus enters hepatocytes and causes mutation to host cell’s DNA
- ex. environmental toxins –> mutation
7
Q
cholangiocarcinomas arises where
A
arises in bile duct epithelium
8
Q
cholangiocarcinomas associated with what
A
chronic inflm of bile duct epithelium (ex. schistosomiasis – a disease caused by parasitic flatworms)
9
Q
secondary (metastatic) forms are from where
A
from colon, lung, breast
10
Q
mnfts
A
- hepatomegaly
- ascites
- anorexia
- weight loss
- abdo pain
- fever
11
Q
tx
A
- Sx (resect portion of liver)
- supportive & palliative care
12
Q
why is Dx delayed with liver CA
A
b/c mnfts of pre-existing chronic liver diseases may mask the mnfts of the liver CA
