Hyderabad: City doctors point to a rise in cases of liver cancer — particularly one type of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) — in recent times. From one or two cases per week until a few years ago, the numbers have doubled now, they say, adding how HCC is usually prevalent among people aged 35 and above.
The HCC is the most common type of primary liver cancer and develops when a tumour grows on the liver, affecting the liver cells.
Speaking about it, Dr Mukta Srinivasulu, director, MNJ Cancer Hospital, said that HCC is caused by cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), alcohol abuse, viral infections such as hepatitis B and C, and increasing non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD) such as obesity, diabetes, and others.
“The obesity epidemic we are seeing these days has become one of the major causes of liver cancer. Over the years, a sedentary lifestyle and an unbalanced and untimely diet have led to NAFLD and then liver cancer. For infections, while there is immunisation for hepatitis B, a vaccine is yet to be developed for hepatitis C,” he said.
In one recent case, a 30-year-old woman from Hyderabad, weighing around 167 kg, underwent bariatric and liver cancer surgery at the Osmania General Hospital (OGH). “The bariatric surgery was done to reduce the portion of the stomach (laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy) and, in turn, reduce the excessive obesity. Simultaneously, we also operated for liver cancer. This was because the remaining portion of the fatty liver would have developed into cancer again after a few years,” said Dr CH Madhusudhan, HOD of surgical gastroenterology and liver transplantation at OGH.
He reiterated how he heard of not more than five or six such cases per month till a few years ago. Now, that decent rate of liver cancer has doubled to 10 to 12.
“Usually, chronic liver diseases lead to cancer. So, if patients have a pre-existing liver condition with the cancer, we perform the transplant. If it’s in the background of a normal liver condition, we do resectional surgery,” Dr Madhusudhan added.
Dr P Shravan Kumar, professor and HOD of gastroenterology at Gandhi Hospital, called liver cancer a “silent disease” and emphasised the need for “its early detection”. “We have been seeing two to three liver cancer cases per week in advanced stages. Early detection and ultrasound are important to stop its growth,” he said.
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Headline: Major factor
– Hepatocellular carcinoma is most common type of primary liver cancer
– It develops when a tumour grows on liver, affecting its cells
– Caused by cirrhosis (scarring of liver), alcohol abuse, viral infections such as hepatitis B and C
– Also due to increasing non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and others
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Rare liver cancer among kids
Additionally, cases of hepatoblastoma, a rare type of liver cancer typically found in children under three to four years, are also being seen frequently by doctors. Doctors say that hepatoblastoma is usually caused by certain genetic disorders. In one such recent instance, three children (all under four years) were treated at OGH after developing tyrosinemia, a rare genetic and metabolic disorder. “The three had developed an abdominal mass lump (swelling), which could have further led to developing liver cancer if it was not timely diagnosed and a transplant was not conducted,” said Dr Madhusudhan.
Solution: Diet
Doctors stressed that the key to maintaining a fit liver is by avoiding excessive consumption of junk food and maintaining a healthy gut microbiome, which comprises trillions of microorganisms in the human digestive system and produces necessary healthy bacteria. “It influences various processes, including metabolism, immunity, and support for liver function,” said Dr Kumar.