Death of Thierry Ardisson: 5 things to know about liver cancer
Unlike other cancers with multiple causes, liver cancer has a clearly identified culprit: alcohol. It's responsible for half of the new cases diagnosed each year. The most worrying thing? You don't have to be an alcoholic to develop this disease. As the Institut Curie points out, "the consumption of one to several glasses of alcoholic beverages per day, even if it doesn't lead to addiction or liver cirrhosis, is also considered a risk factor." Other factors such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, hepatitis B and C, and tobacco increase the risks.
A silent disease that reveals itself late
Liver cancer is a sneaky enemy. It can remain completely silent for months or even years, which is why diagnosis often occurs at an advanced stage. When the first symptoms appear, they are unfortunately uncharacteristic: persistent fatigue, digestive problems, unexplained weight loss, nausea. It is only as the disease progresses that more specific signs appear, such as jaundice or ascites, a swelling of the abdomen caused by the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen.
It almost always arises from an already diseased liver.
Crucial information: Liver cancer very rarely develops in a healthy organ. In the vast majority of cases, it occurs in a liver already weakened by a chronic disease such as cirrhosis or hepatitis B or C. This particularity makes it a largely preventable disease: by taking care of your liver, limiting your alcohol consumption, protecting yourself from hepatitis, and maintaining a normal weight, you can considerably reduce your risks. The liver, this vital organ located in the upper right part of the abdomen, plays an essential role in detoxifying the body and has a remarkable capacity for regeneration.
Treatments that depend on the stage of the disease
Treatment varies considerably depending on the extent of the cancer. For a small, localized tumor, surgeons may perform a partial liver ablation, taking advantage of its regenerative capacity. Radiofrequency destruction is a less invasive alternative. When the tumor is larger or widespread, a complete liver transplant may be considered, but this option remains complex because the liver is often already weakened by the underlying disease.
Percutaneous tumor destruction is an alternative to surgery. This technique uses heat (radiofrequency) or cold (cryotherapy) to destroy the tumor through the skin without opening the abdomen. Finally, when it is not possible to destroy or remove the tumor, chemotherapy treatments can slow the cancer's growth.
SudOuest
