Liver Cancer Flashcards
Two main types of primary liver cancer
Hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma
Risk factors for HCC
Liver cirrhosis due to alcohol, hepatitis, NAFLD, other chronic liver disease
What is cholangiocarcinoma associated with
PRimary sclerosing cholangitis
Age presentation of cholangiocarcinoma
Usually >50 unless associated with PSC
Presentation of liver cancer
Weight loss, abdominal pain, anorexia, nausea and vomiting, jaundice, pruritis
Tumour marked for HCC
Alpha-feroprotein
Tumour marker for cholangiocarcinoma
Ca19-9
What investigations are indicated in liver cancer
Liver US, CT and MRI, ERCP for biopsies
Prognosis of HCC
Poor unless diagnosed early.
Treatment of HCC in early disease
Resection
Inhibitors for medical treatment of HCC
Sorafenib, regorafenib, lenvatinib
Why isn’t chemotherapy used
generally resistant to chemo and radiotherapy but used for palliative care in certain circumstances
Prognosis of cholangiocarcinoma
Very poor prognosis unless diagnosed early
Treatment of cholangiocarcinoma
Surgical resection if early
When is ERCP used
If cholangiocarcinoma is compressing the bile duct to improve symptoms and drainage of bile
