What is the survival rate for hepatocellular carcinoma?

Unfortunately, HCC is typically diagnosed late in its course, with a median survival following diagnosis of approximately 6 to 20 months. In the United States, 2 years survival is less than 50% and 5-year survival is only 10%.

What causes hepatic cancer?

Primary liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) tends to occur in livers damaged by birth defects, alcohol abuse, or chronic infection with diseases such as hepatitis B and C, hemochromatosis (a hereditary disease associated with too much iron in the liver), and cirrhosis.

Is hepatocellular carcinoma the same as liver cancer?

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), or liver cancer, occurs when a tumor grows on the liver. It is responsible for over 12,000 deaths per year in the United States, making it one of the most serious cancers in adults.

Is hepatocellular carcinoma a fast growing cancer?

Liver cancer can spread quickly depending on the type of cancer. Hemangiosarcoma and angiosarcoma types of liver cancer are fast spreading, whereas hepatocellular carcinoma spreads late in the disease.

Is hepatocellular carcinoma a terminal?

Definition of terminal Hepatocellular Carcinoma Among HCC patients, 15–20% present with end stage or terminal stage HCC. Their median survival is less than 3–4 months.

Where does hepatocellular carcinoma spread to?

The most common sites of metastasis in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma are the lung (44%), portal vein (35%), and portal lymph nodes (27%). Also, intra-abdominal lymph nodes and bones are common sites.

What is the life expectancy for liver cancer?

If the liver cancer is localized (confined to the liver), the 5-year survival rate is 28%. If the liver cancer is regional (has grown into nearby organs), the 5-year survival rate is 7%. Once the liver cancer is distant (spread to distant organs or tissues), the survival time is as low as 2 years.

Does anyone survive stage 4 liver cancer?

In one small study of people with metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma, those whose liver cancer had spread to their lymph nodes or distant organs had an average survival rate of 4 and 11 months, depending on the severity of their liver damage and whether they received treatment.

Is hepatocellular carcinoma aggressive?

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive malignancy, resulting as the third cause of death by cancer each year. The management of patients with HCC is complex, as both the tumour stage and any underlying liver disease must be considered conjointly.

Is hepatocellular carcinoma curable?

Most people who develop HCC have cirrhosis, which is a build-up of scar tissue due to years of liver damage. Since HCC usually grows slowly in its early stages, it can often be cured if discovered early enough.

What is hepatocellular carcinoma and is it curable?

Hepatocellular carcinoma is a cancer that starts in your liver . It’s different from “secondary” liver cancers, which have spread to the liver from other organs. If caught early, it can sometimes be cured with surgery or transplant. In more advanced cases it can’t be cured , but treatment and support can help you live longer and better.

What are the symptoms of hepatocellular carcinoma?

Many people with hepatocellular carcinoma ( HCC ) have no symptoms until the disease becomes advanced. Common symptoms include: Abdominal pain. Abdominal swelling or mass. Fatigue. Fluid in the abdomen. Weight loss.

What does hepatocellular carcinoma mean?

Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Definition. Hepatocellular carcinoma ( HCC ) is a cancer that starts in the liver. It is the most common type of primary liver cancer in adults, and is the most common cause of death in people with cirrhosis .

What is the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)?

Pathophysiology. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) primarily arises in a cirrhotic liver, where repeated inflammation and fibrinogenesis predispose the liver to dysplasia and malignant transformation. Viral infections with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) lead to enhanced hepatocyte turnover as the liver attempts to replace infected cells that have been immunologically attacked. 1 There is some evidence to suggest that HCC develops from hepatic stem cells that proliferate in