What causes liver cancer?

Hepatitis B is a major factor causing liver cancer. Rates of Hepatitis B in the world is quite high . A total of 632 000 new cases are found globally to reach the 396 000 deaths per year ( 2008 data ) .

Primary liver cancer is usually known as Hepatocellular Carcinoma ( HCC ) is a form of cancer that is commonly found throughout the world . This type of cancer usually affects people who have a liver disorder or cirrhosis of the liver .

Liver Anatomy

The liver is the largest organ in the human body digestion . Liver weight in adult humans around 1400-1600 grams , which is about 2.5 % of body weight . Liver is located under the right lung and is protected by the ribs .
liver function:

• Participate in the process of making proteins

Protein is needed for cell growth . Liver is responsible for the production of 90 % of plasma proteins.

• As a storage area

Liver stores carbohydrates, iron, and vitamins that are useful when the body requires. Hearts also store and release glucose from the blood and into the body to provide energy.

• Producing bile

Bile is a substance that aids digestion and absorption of food .

• The detoxification and decomposition of substances

Hearts break down the chemicals that enter the body such as alcohol , drugs , and waste products from the body . Hearts also break down red blood cells that die a coloring substance urine and feces .

What causes liver cancer ?

Factors causes liver cancer :

• Infection of Hepatitis B and C virus (70 % of liver cancer caused by hepatitis B virus infection)
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• The use of needles to drug users may increase the risk of exposure to infection of Hepatitis B and C virus
• Exposure to toxic mold ( aflatoxin ) is a fungus that is found in peanuts
• non- alcoholic fatty liver disease
• Obesity
• The use of anabolic steroids in the long term
• with hereditary hemochromatosis or iron accumulation in organs
• Men have a higher risk of developing liver cancer . Comparison of male : female = 3 : 1