ABSTRACT
Primary hepatic cancer ranks as the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide, with an estimated 782,500 new cases and 745,500 deaths recorded in 2012. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents about 75" of all primary liver cancers. Risk factors for HCC include hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, diabetes, obesity, aflatoxin exposure, hemochromatosis, severe alcohol intake, and metabolic diseases. Symptoms of hepatic cancer may include a lump or pain in the right side below the rib cage, swelling of the abdomen, yellowish skin, easy bruising, weight loss, and weakness. Early HCC of the vaguely nodular type has a reduced density of unpaired arteries compared to progressed HCC and therefore appears hypovascular in imaging. Resection is the treatment of choice for HCC patients with sufficient hepatic function reserve and without advanced fibrosis and portal hypertension. Treatment options for hepatoblastoma include preoperative chemotherapy and surgery, or liver transplant if unresectable.
