Liver Cancer Flashcards
What is a primary liver cancer?
Liver that originates in the liver
What is a secondary liver cancer?
Mets in the liver
What are the two main types of primary liver cancer?
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (80%)
- Cholangiocarcinoma (20%)
Where may liver mets come from?
Pretty much any cancer- often an unknown primary
What is the prognosis like with liver mets?
Poor
What are the risk factors of hepatocellular carcinoma?
Liver cirrhosis, often due to:
BANC
Hep B
AFLD
NAFLD
Hep C
How is HCC screening carried out?
6 monthly:
- Alpha-fetoprotein
- USS
What is cholangiocarcinoma associated with?
Primary sclerosing cholangitis (10% of chol.Ca)
How do liver cancers present?
Late:
- Weight loss, anorexia..
- Abdo pain
- N and V
- Jaundice
- Pruritis
Which two cancers cause a painless jaundice?
- Pancreatic cancer
- Cholangiocarcinoma
What is the tumour marker for hepatocellular carcinoma?
Alpha-fetoprotein
What is the tumour marker for cholangiocarcinoma?
CA19-9
What are CTs and MRIs used for in liver cancer?
Staging
What is ERCP used for in liver cancer?
Biopsies for cholangiocarcinoma
How can liver cancer be cured?
Resection (if the area it’s in is resectable)
How can HCC be medically treated?
Kinases:
- Sorafenib
- Lenvatinib
How do kinases work in HCC?
Prevent cancer cell proliferation
What are both HCC and Cholagiocarcinoma resistant to?
Chemo and Radiotherapy
When are chemo and radiotherapy used in HCC?
Palliation
What’s the prognosis in cholangiocarcinoma?
Very poor
How is cholangiocarcinoma treated?
- Palliative ERCP (relieve obstruction)
What is a haemangioma?
Common benign tumour of the liver
- No symptoms
- No malignant potential
- No treatment or monitoring needed
What is a focal nodular hyperplasia?
Benign liver tumour
- Made of fibrotic tissue
- Asymptomatic with no malignant potential
- Related to oestrogen (common in women on the pill)
- Needs no treatment or monitoring
