Comprehensive Liver Cancer Web Site Debuts
August 7, 2004

www.usclivercancer.org

About The USC Comprehensive Liver Cancer Program

The USC Liver Cancer Center focuses a multidisciplinary team approach to the diagnosis and treatment of cancers of the liver and biliary tract. Our comprehensive program matches compassionate patient care with gold standard treatments and cutting edge clinical research.

Due to the close working relationship between our clinicians and scientists, research findings are quickly translated into clinical practice. Patients of the USC Liver Cancer Program have access to some of the most highly advanced therapeutic options available.

Our disciplines include hepatobiliary and liver transplant surgery, hepatology, medical and surgical oncology, interventional radiology, pathology, epidemiology, and clinical research. Program physicians hold faculty positions at the Keck School of Medicine. Our staff includes physicians, scientists, nurse practitioners, and a support staff that are eager to serve your needs. Ancillary services include nutritional and dietary consultants, social services, financial coordinators, chaplaincy, educational patient classes, support groups, volunteer services, pharmacists, nurses, and respiratory care practitioners.

One of the goals of the USC Liver Cancer Program is to gain insight through patient experience and clinical research on improving the overall survival and life quality of patients with liver cancer. We are constantly working to define the epidemiology of these malignancies to identify strategies for cancer detection, treatment, and prevention.

Community education as it relates to cancer prevention and control is also imperative. Our philosophy is to provide stringent screening for HCC in high risk populations. Early detection of these cancers along with early referral to a specialty center can be life saving. We also encourage patients to be proactive in ensuring that their screening tests are up-to-date, and follow up is obtained by their primary care physician or specialist.

For more information, please visit the USC Comprehensive Liver Cancer Center web site.


About Liver Cancer

What is Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)?

Hepatocellular carcinoma (often abbreviated "HCC"), also known as hepatoma, is the fifth most common cancer in the world, and has been increasing in prevalence in the United States, primarily because of the increased number of people with cirrhosis of the liver due to hepatitis C infection. HCC is a cancer of the hepatocyte, which is one of the main functional cell types in the liver.

HCC at a Glance

• HCC is the fifth most common cancer in the world.
• Many patients with HCC do not develop symptoms until the advanced stages of the tumor.
• Some liver diseases, most notably hepatitis B infection, can cause HCC even in the absence of cirrhosis.
• The combination of an imaging study (Ultrasound, CT, or MRI scans) and an elevated blood level of alpha-fetoprotein most effectively diagnoses HCC.
• In the U.S., patients with associated cirrhosis caused by chronic hepatitis B or C infections, alcohol, and hemochromatosis are at the greatest risk of developing HCC.
• Patients with chronic liver disease (e.g., HCV, HBV, or hemochromatosis) should avoid drinking alcohol, which can further increase their risk of developing cirrhosis and HCC.
• Surgical resection (removal) of the tumor may be very effective for a select group of individuals with HCC, specifically for those with small tumors and excellent liver function.
• For patients with small HCC and significant associated liver disease, liver transplantation offers the best chance for cure.

What's the difference between HCC and other liver cancer?

There are several different types of liver cancer. HCC is a primary liver cancer that originates from liver cells. This most often occurs in people who have chronic liver disease and cirrhosis. HCC should be distinguished between other forms of liver cancer, such as metastatic tumor (cancers that have spread to the liver from another primary site, such as the lung or breast). Other, less common, types of primary liver cancers include:

• Cholangiocarcinomas (cancer of the bile ducts)
• Adenocarcinomas (other glands within the liver)
• Sarcomas and angiosarcomas (connective tissue within the liver)
• Hemangioendotheliomas (blood vessels within the liver)

What is fibrolamellar carcinoma?

Fibrolamellar carcinoma is a variation of HCC that is found in non-cirrhotic livers, usually in younger patients between the ages of 20 and 40 years. In fact, these patients have no associated liver disease and no risk factors have been identified. The alpha-fetoprotein in these patients is usually normal. The appearance of fibrolamellar carcinoma under the microscope is quite characteristic. That is, broad bands of scar tissue are seen running through the cancerous liver cells. The important thing about fibrolamellar carcinoma is that it has a much better prognosis than the common type of HCC. Thus, even with a fairly extensive fibrolamellar carcinoma, a patient can have a successful surgical removal.