liver tumours Flashcards
what is most common liver tumour
secondary, metastatic tumour particularly from GI tract
general symptoms of secondary liver tumour
- weight loss
- malaise
- upper abdominal pain
- hepatomegaly
- jaundice
primary investigation of secondary liver tumour
ultrasound
what is used to define metastases in secondary liver tumour
CT or MRI
also look for primary
what is used if primary is breast and its spread
chemo
what is an alternative to surgery for secondary liver tumours
radio frequency ablation
example of a primary malignant liver tumours
hepatocellular carcinoma
who are at high risk of developing HCC
- hepatitis B
- hepatitis C
what is usually present in HCC
cirrhosis
causes of HCC
- alcoholic cirrhosis
- NAFLD
- haemochromatosis
- aflatoxin (fungus on groundnuts)
- androgen steroids
- contraceptive pill (weak assoc)
who’s affected more in HCC women or men
men
what is seen histologically in HCC
- cells resembling hepatocytes
can HCC metastases
yes
how does HCC metastases
via the hepatic or portal veins to lymph nodes, bones, lungs
symptoms of HCC
- weight loss
- anorexia
- fever.
- ache in right hypochondrium
- ascites
- enlarged irregular liver
