Hepatocellular carcinoma refers to a common form of cancer that primarily affects the liver. This is the second-largest vital internal organ in the human body. This form of cancer results from sudden mutations in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of the hepatocytes cells in the liver. This is a material that provides specific instructions for every single chemical process occurring within the cells. The mutations cause the old cells to grow and replicate in a geometric progression rather than die. Soon the abnormal cells accumulate together to occupy a large space in the liver to form a tumor. Within a short time, the cancerous cells spread to other vital organs of the human body.

Dr. Paolo Boffetta – What are the symptoms and treatment plans for hepatocellular carcinoma?

Dr. Paolo Boffetta is an epidemiologist from Italy who is known throughout the world for his research on cancer. He is a medical graduate from the University of Turin and has over 38 years of experience. During this period, he had the privilege of holding important posts in the world’s top medical institutions. These include Columbia University, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Karolinska Institute, and America Cancer Society. Presently, he is a Professor in the Department of Family, Population & Preventive Medicine of Stony Brook University. He also holds the position of Associate Director for Population Sciences in the Stony Brook Cancer Center.

Readmore: Look before you leap- Factors to be considered when choosing a health center

He says people who consume large quantities of alcohol are vulnerable to hepatocellular carcinoma. Even those with pre-existing medical conditions such as hepatitis C are just as vulnerable to this form of cancer. They generally develop the following five common symptoms as their disease progresses:

1. They suffer from excruciating abdominal pain and swelling,
2. Almost all of them defecate chalky white feces whenever they go to the toilet,
3. Many of these patients notice that the cornea of their eyes and skin have a yellowish discoloration,
4. They complain of general fatigue and not feeling hungry, and
5. They even experience nausea and vomit a lot.

He states oncologists recommend the following four treatments when their diagnosis confirms their patients have hepatocellular carcinoma:

• Insist their patients undergo a liver transplant surgery to replace the cancerous liver with a healthy one,
• Convince their patient to take ablation procedures to destroy the cancer cells using microwaves,
• Prescribe immunotherapy drugs to boost their patients’ immune system to fight the cancer cells, and
• Tell their patients to take stereotactic body radiotherapy to kill the cancer cells using X-rays.

Paolo Boffetta MD concludes by saying a hepatocellular carcinoma is a common form of liver cancer. It results from a genetic change in the DNA of the hepatocytes cells in the liver.

Readmore: Treat Crow’s Feet at Reputed Botox Chevy Chase MD Clinics

This causes them to grow and replicate uncontrollably instead of dying. They then accumulate to form a tumor in the liver. People are suffering from this disease experience fatigue, nausea, and abdominal swelling. They also vomit a lot and excrete white chalky feces. Many of them notice the cornea of their eyes and skin, having a yellowish discoloration. Doctors diagnosing them normally recommend a liver transplant, ablation procedure, or stereotactic body radiotherapy for their disease. Some of them insist they take immunotherapy drugs for treatment if possible.