Hepatic Tumors – Vocabulary Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering classifications, risk factors, presentations, diagnostics, staging, and treatment modalities for hepatic (liver) tumors.

Hepatic Tumor

Any neoplasm (benign or malignant) that arises in or spreads to the liver.

Primary Liver Cancer

Malignancy originating in hepatic tissue; less common than metastatic disease.

Metastatic Liver Tumor

Cancer that has spread to the liver from another primary site (e.g., colon, breast).

Benign Liver Tumor

Non-cancerous hepatic growth such as hepatic adenoma, focal nodular hyperplasia, or hemangioma.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)

Most common primary malignant liver tumor, also called hepatoma.

Cholangiocarcinoma

Primary cancer arising from the epithelium of bile ducts within the liver.

Mixed Tumor (Hepatic)

Neoplasm containing both epithelial and mesenchymal cell components.

Angiosarcoma

Aggressive malignant tumor originating from hepatic blood vessels.

Hepatoblastoma

Rare malignant liver tumor of childhood that may trigger precocious puberty.

Hepatic Adenoma

Benign liver tumor seen predominantly in women using oral contraceptives.

Focal Nodular Hyperplasia (FNH)

Benign hyperplastic liver lesion, most common in women aged 20–30.

Hemangioma (Hepatic)

Most prevalent benign liver tumor; a vascular malformation found in up to 5 % of adults.

Viral Hepatitis B & C

Chronic liver infections that markedly increase risk for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Alcoholic Cirrhosis

Liver scarring from chronic alcohol use; major risk factor for HCC.

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

Metabolic liver disorder that can progress to cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Anabolic Steroid Use

Exogenous hormones that elevate risk for hepatic adenoma and HCC.

Right Upper Quadrant Pain

Common presenting symptom of liver tumors, may radiate to shoulder or back.

Liver Biopsy Care

Post-procedure: position on affected side, monitor vital signs for hemorrhage, assess insertion site, manage pain.

TNM Staging System

AJCC method classifying tumor size (T), node involvement (N), and metastasis (M).

T0

No evidence of a primary liver tumor.

T1

Single liver tumor of any size without vascular invasion.

T2

Single tumor with vascular invasion or multiple tumors none >5 cm.

T3

Multiple tumors >5 cm or tumor involving major portal/hepatic vein branch.

T4

Tumor invading adjacent organ (excluding gallbladder) or visceral peritoneum.

N0

No regional lymph-node involvement by liver cancer.

N1

Metastatic involvement of regional lymph nodes.

M0

No distant metastasis detected.

M1

Distant metastasis present (commonly lungs or bones).

Abdominal Ultrasound

First-line imaging used to differentiate solid liver masses from cystic/benign lesions.

CT/MRI of Liver

Cross-sectional imaging that delineates tumor size, vascular invasion, and extrahepatic spread.

Arteriography

Contrast study mapping hepatic arterial blood supply to a tumor pre-surgery.

Adriamycin (Doxorubicin)

Anthracycline chemotherapeutic agent often used in liver-cancer regimens.

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU)

Antimetabolite chemotherapy sometimes combined with doxorubicin or cisplatin for HCC.

Chemoembolization

Infusion of chemotherapy with embolic particles into hepatic artery to shrink tumors.

Cryosurgery

Local ablation using extreme cold to destroy unresectable liver tumors.

Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)

Percutaneous insertion of heated probe to thermally destroy liver tumor tissue.

Lobectomy (Hepatic Resection)

Surgical removal of a liver lobe; treatment of choice for localized, resectable HCC.

Liver Transplantation

Replacement of diseased liver with donor organ; indicated for ≤3 tumors <5 cm without HBV.

Percutaneous Biliary Drainage

External catheter-based decompression of obstructed bile ducts in liver cancer.

Implantable Hepatic Artery Pump

Device delivering continuous regional chemotherapy with better local response and fewer systemic effects.

Ascites

Pathologic accumulation of fluid in peritoneal cavity; sign of advanced liver disease.

Chemo/Radiation for Palliation

Non-curative therapy aimed at symptom control and tumor shrinkage in unresectable or metastatic disease.

Hypoglycemia Post-Op

Low blood glucose monitored after liver surgery due to impaired gluconeogenesis.

Port Management

Care, flushing, and monitoring of implanted venous access devices used for chemotherapy.