Health. Death of Thierry Ardisson: What you need to know about liver cancer
The death of Thierry Ardisson on July 14th at the age of 76 from liver cancer is a reminder of the seriousness of this disease, which is the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Yet, in the vast majority of cases, this pathology could be prevented.
Liver cancer affects approximately 10,500 new cases each year in France, and it has a very specific profile. Eight out of ten patients are men, making it one of the most gender-specific cancers.
Age is also a determining factor: 40% of patients are between 50 and 69 years old at the time of diagnosis, while half of patients are over 70. The most common type? Hepatocellular carcinoma, or hepatocarcinoma.
Alcohol, responsible for one in two casesUnlike other cancers with multiple causes, liver cancer has a clearly identified culprit: alcohol. It accounts for half of all new cases diagnosed each year. The most concerning part? You don't have to be an alcoholic to develop this disease.
As the Curie Institute points out, " the consumption of one or more glasses of alcoholic beverages per day, even if it does not 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 also increase the risks.
A silent disease that reveals itself lateLiver 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 unremarkable: 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 belly caused by the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen.
Unlike other cancers with multiple causes, liver cancer has a clearly identified culprit: alcohol. It accounts for half of all new cases diagnosed each year. The most concerning part? You don't have to be an alcoholic to develop this disease.
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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 the detoxification of the body and has a remarkable capacity for regeneration.
Treatments that depend on the stage of the diseaseTreatment 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.
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