Malignant liver tumours Flashcards
Where is the most common location for a primary hepatic tumour to metastasize to?
The lungs
Where are the most common primary tumour locations in secondary hepatic tumour
Colon, pancreas, lung and breast
Most common disease/risk factor in hepatic tumour
Hepatitis B or C
What are aflotoxins
Toxic chemicals released by certain aspergillus molds in decaying food such as grains, peanuts and vegetables. They are risk factors for hepatic tumour
What is the most dangerous aflotoxin and why
Aflotoxin-B1 and it mutates the p53 tumour suppressor gene
Why is hepatic carcinoma usually symptom-less
Symptoms are often masked by cirrhosis
What is a common examination finding in secondary hepatic cancer
Multiple palpable focal point on the liver
What is budd chiari, how does it happen in hepatic tumour and what are the symptoms?
Blockage of the hepatic vein/s and it is blocked by a metastasis. It causes an increase in liver pressure, abdominal swelling (ascites) and hepatomegaly
Histology of hepatic cancer
Bile, small cancer cells invading large hepatocytes
What is alpha fetoprotein
A protein found in fetal plasma but decreases in adults. This is sometimes produced by the tumour
What else increases in the blood with a hepatic tumour
ALP, GGT, erythropoiten, insulin like growth factor and parathyroid.
How to diagnose
Both CT and US are good but angiography is gold standard as it shows tumour vascularity.
Treatment of hepatic cancer
Surgery if possible, radio and chemo not effective and liver transplant.
