Liver Cancer Center
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According to the National Cancer Institute, cancer of the liver is a rare malignancy in the United States, but in parts of Asia and Africa, it is one of the most common malignancies. In the United States, the average age on onset is 60 to 70 years; the disease occurs more frequently in males than females by a ratio of 2:1.
There is a strong association between chronic hepatitis B and C viral infections and the development of heptaocellular (liver cell or HCC) carcinoma, which account for about two-thirds of all liver cancers. People with cirrhosis also have an increased risk of liver cancer. Other possible hepatocarcinogens include aflatoxin, nitrosamines, oral estrogen compounds, and numerous other chemicals. Certain molds that grow on stored foods are recognized risk factors in parts of Africa and Asia.
About one in five liver cancers are cholangiocarcinomas, arising from branches of the bile ducts that are located within the liver. Certain liver parasites are recognized risk factors for this type of liver cancer, especially in parts of Southeast Asia. Angiosarcomas are rare cancers that can arise from blood vessels, including the blood vessels within the liver. They account for about one percent of primary liver cancers; some of them have been associated with industrial exposures to vinyl chloride.
At Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), we use many tools to help you fight liver cancer on all fronts. A powerful combination of traditional and new, innovative therapies are provided by cancer experts who work with you to determine the appropriate combination of therapies, which may include:
- Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) for an advanced form of conformal radiotherapy. IMRT employs a powerful, advanced computer program that plans a precise dose of radiation in three dimensions based on individual tumor size, shape and location. Remarkably, it allows for higher radiation doses than traditional radiotherapy methods, while sparing more of the surrounding healthy tissue.
- Intra-Arterial Chemotherapy can deliver a higher response rate than chemotherapy that is given orally or intravenously. It can be used for any tumor with a blood supply that can be isolated.
- Chemoembolization is used to treat certain types of liver cancer, whether the tumor began in the liver (liver cancer) or spread to it from another organ (metastasized to the liver). It involves injecting chemotherapy directly into the blood vessels that feed the liver tumor.
In addition the therapies described above, CTCA enriches your treatment by offering complementary and alternative therapies such as naturopathic medicine, nutritional therapy, mind-body medicine, image enhancement and spiritual support. CTCA is with you every step of the way, and will fight alongside you in your healing journey.