2.0 liver cancer

primary liver cancer

cancer that originates in the liver

secondary liver cancer

cancer that originates elsewhere and spreads to the liver, which is more common

rates of all types of liver cancer are continually rising

predicted to increase by 38% by 2035 due to increase amount of patients with chronic liver damage

liver cancer is the 17th most common cancer in the UK

accounts for 2% of all new cancer diagnoses

liver cancer is more common in men

the incidence rates are highested in people aged 85-89

liver cancer is linked to

excessive alcohol consumption

non alcoholic fatty liver disease NAFLD. caused by obesity

hep B/C infections

incidence of liver cancer has been increasing due to

rising rates of obesity + NAFLD

aging population

the liver can become damanegd due to external factors placed on it

damage leads to cirrhosis, severe scarring of the liver impairing its function an promoting cancerous growth

main causes of cirrosis and liver cancer

• chronic hep B/C

• alcohol consumption

• NAFLD

chronic hep B/C

Hep C is more common risk factor in UK especially in older populations

these viruses cause chronic liver inflamamtion leading to cirrosis which significanrly raises the risk

alcholol consumption

long term excessive alcohol use can lead to liver damage cirrhosis and ultimately liver cancer

alcohol is the leading cause of cirrhosis in UK

genetic conditions

haemochromatosis, iron levels gradually build up over years

other factors

long term smoking

anabolic steroid use

both increase the risk by promoting liver inflammation and damage