Ask Your Gastroenterologist

The liver plays an essential role in your body. It eliminates poison, restores energy and aids in food digestion. A liver cancer surgeon may help you identify if you have a liver problem. Any condition that affects the structure and function of the organ is considered a liver or hepatic disease.

Types of Liver Disease

There are several types of liver disease, the most common being:

Hepatitis

Hepatitis A – An infection that causes inflammation in the liver which can be passed through consumption of food and drinks that have been contaminated by fecal matter from an infected person. However, it is vaccine-preventable.
Hepatitis B – This is a chronic liver infection that can cause cirrhosis, liver cancer or organ failure if unaddressed. It can be transmitted through blood and sexual fluids, as well as vertically transmitted from mother to child. Hepatitis B is also vaccine-preventable.
Hepatitis C – This is a viral disease transmitted through direct contact with contaminated blood. Unlike hepatitis A and B, hepatitis C can be cured with oral medications.

Autoimmune conditions

These are diseases wherein the body’s immune system abnormally attacks its own liver cells, causing inflammation and damage to the liver.

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH)
Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC)
Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)

Cirrhosis

This condition refers to scarring that develops when the liver tries to repair itself from chronic injuries and damages due to infections and alcohol abuse. A doctor may prescribe medications and changes to your diet and lifestyle.

Liver Fibrosis

This condition signifies the early stage of cirrhosis, in which the liver is beginning to develop excessive scar tissue due to self-healing.

Liver Cysts

These are anomalous, thin-walled sacs in the liver that are filled with either fluid or a solid mass of cells. Liver cysts are mostly benign. A liver surgeon may require you medical treatment if the cysts are growing or causing you discomfort pains.

Liver Cancer

Most cases of liver cancer originated from another organ or place in the body, and only spread to the liver. A liver cancer surgeon may perform liver cancer surgery if they need to remove part of the liver containing the tumor or by liver transplant.

Fatty Liver Disease

When the liver forms way too much fat, it is called as a fatty liver. A normal liver must contain 5% amount of fats only or else it is considered fatty. Unresolved, fatty liver disease can lead to liver inflammation and scar tissues.

Genetic Liver Conditions

These are inherited conditions in which excess minerals build up in the body which can lead to diabetes, heart and liver problems. A liver specialist may provide you with medicines to slow the progression of the disease.

Hemochromatosis
Wilson’s Disease
Alpha-1 Antitrypsin

Symptoms

Consult with your liver cancer specialist if you have signs and symptoms of liver diseases. Hepatic conditions are characterized by the following:

jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin)
discoloration of urine
pale stool color
abdominal pain
loss of appetite
fatigue
nausea and vomiting
itchy skin
inflamed legs and ankles
bruising

Treatments

Some liver diseases can be treated with proper medication and improved lifestyle, which may include maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol intake, keeping hydrated, adopting a liver-friendly diet consisting of high fibers, less fats, and low sugar.

A doctor may give you medical treatments to treat the liver condition. These include:

antiviral medications and antibiotics
supplementary vitamins and/or food supplements
blood pressure treatments
anti-inflammatory medicines
liver transplant
liver resection
liver cancer surgery

If you’re experiencing some or most of the symptoms mentioned above, it will be best to consult with a certified liver cancer surgeon near you. Specialist doctors such as they, specialize in the diagnosis and treatment from hepatitis to cancer, and other liver conditions.

What is Pancreatic Cancer?

Pancreatic cancer is a medical condition in which malignant cells develop in the pancreas, an endocrine gland organ responsible for regulating blood sugar and releasing enzymes that aid in digestion.

While considered to be a rare form of cancer, pancreatic cancer is found to be one of the most lethal because of its asymptomatic nature and quick progression. In most cases, the cancer produces no symptoms until it has already spread to other organs.

The 5-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer is only at 9%, which makes consulting a pancreatic cancer surgeon for early detection and prompt treatment crucial.

Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer

Often dubbed as a silent killer, pancreatic cancer is not usually detected until its advanced stages when it can produce symptoms such as:

Abdominal and/or back pain
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and/or eyes)
Dark urine
Light-colored stools
Nausea and vomiting
Fatigue and weakness
Loss of appetite and weight loss

Other symptoms may be present depending on whether the cancer has spread to other tissues and organs (metastasis), and which tissues and organs are affected.

Cause and Risk Factors of Pancreatic Cancer

The exact cause of pancreatic cancer is unknown but doctors have pinpointed some factors that increase one’s risk of developing the disease. These risk factors include:

Genetics – Medical professionals believe that pancreatic cancer is caused by an inherited gene mutation, which makes those who have a family history of pancreatic cancer at a higher risk of getting it.
Age – In up to 80% of pancreatic cancer cases, the disease developed between the ages of 60 to 80.
Gender – Pancreatic cancer is found to affect more men than women.

Pancreatic cancer may also be caused by acquired gene mutations, which can result from:

diet rich in red and processed meat
smoking
obesity
medical conditions such as diabetes and pancreatitis

Among these risk factors, researchers found that a combination of poor diet, diabetes and smoking can significantly increase one’s risk of pancreatic cancer.

Treatment Options for Pancreatic Cancer

The recommended treatment plan for pancreatic cancer depends largely on its type and stage, as well as the overall health and preference of the patient.

In cases where the cancer is still constrained within the pancreas, pancreatic cancer surgery is advised. The most common procedures done are:

Whipple operation (pancreaticoduodenectomy), in which the pancreas head, first part of the small intestine (duodenum), bile duct, gallbladder and sometimes a portion of the stomach are removed.
Distal pancreatectomy, in which the tail and other portions of the pancreas, except the head, are removed.
Total pancreatectomy, in which the whole pancreas and spleen are removed.

Pancreatic cancer surgery may be accompanied by other cancer treatments such as:

Chemotherapy – Drugs are prescribed to kill cancer cells, which are characterized by their ability to divide and grow very rapidly. For pancreatic cancer, chemotherapy drugs are typically given intravenously and on a weekly basis.
Radiation therapy – Radiotherapy involves the use of high levels of radiation to shrink tumors and destroy cancer cells. It is usually administered 5 days a week for up to 6 weeks when addressing pancreatic cancer.

For patients diagnosed with late-stage pancreatic cancer, the treatment plan shifts its focus to palliative care to help relieve symptoms, specifically pain.

Types of Liver Diseases: General Symptoms and Treatments