Liver cancer, which is also called hepatic cancer, is a cancer that begins in the liver. If a cancer starts somewhere else and then ends up in the liver, it is not considered to be liver cancer. It is then known as metastatic liver cancer or secondary liver cancer.
The liver is below the right lung and under the rib cage and is one of the largest organs of the human body. Nutrient rich blood is carried to the liver by the portal vein, and oxygen rich blood is carried to the liver by the hepatic artery. We cannot survive without a liver.
Liver cancer consists of malignant tumors, or growths, in the liver.
The most common liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma, and it tends to affect males more than females. Experts say that the most common causes of this type of liver cancer most often occurs when a diseased liver, also known as cirrhosis of the liver, is present and is caused by regular heavy alcohol consumption, unprotected sex and drug injection with contaminated and/or shared needles.
Another form of liver cancer is called intrahepatic cholangio carcinoma (bile duct cancer). This cancer starts in the bile ducts within the liver.
There is also hepatoblastoma. This is a very rare form of liver cancer that develops in children who are usually 4 years old or younger. The survival rate for this type of liver cancer is around 90 percent.
Some other causes or liver cancers are steroids used by athletes, diabetes (especially if it is accompanied by hepatitis), family history of liver cancer, inherited liver disease, obesity and smoking.