Many people assume liver cancer only appears after complete liver failure or advanced cirrhosis.
“Excessive inflammation in the liver cells leads to a cascade of liver cell injury and can lead to development of primary liver cell cancer, commonly termed as hepatocellular carcinoma,” says Dr Varma.
“It is important to note that development of liver cell cancer can occur even before cirrhosis develops.”This is one reason doctors now push for earlier screening and lifestyle intervention.
Of those with cirrhosis, about 7-10% may eventually develop liver cancer.
Many people discover fatty liver only during a routine ultrasound or blood test.
Many people assume liver cancer only appears after complete liver failure or advanced cirrhosis. That is not always true anymore.
“Excessive inflammation in the liver cells leads to a cascade of liver cell injury and can lead to development of primary liver cell cancer, commonly termed as hepatocellular carcinoma,” says Dr Varma. “It is important to note that development of liver cell cancer can occur even before cirrhosis develops.”
This is one reason doctors now push for earlier screening and lifestyle intervention.
The liver has an unusual ability to regenerate itself. But repeated injury changes that process. Instead of healthy repair, scar tissue begins replacing normal tissue. This is called fibrosis. When fibrosis becomes severe, it turns into cirrhosis.
Dr Varma explains that around 15-25% of patients with steatohepatitis may progress to cirrhosis. Of those with cirrhosis, about 7-10% may eventually develop liver cancer.
What makes this especially concerning is how silent the disease can remain. Many people discover fatty liver only during a routine ultrasound or blood test. Others learn about it much later, when fatigue, abdominal swelling, or unexplained weight loss begin appearing.
