Both cirrhosis and liver cancer are serious ailments in mainly alcoholic individuals though these may affect non-alcoholic persons as well. Both diseases produce almost similar symptoms though they are not same. Therefore, it is important to know differences between them from a clinical viewpoint as well as for the patients as well. Both are bad news but cancer is definitely worse. The best hospital for cancer treatment in Kolkata treats liver cirrhotic patients as well.

In this article, we will discuss symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatment options for both diseases.

Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis causes irreversible liver damage. Cirrhotic liver, under microscope, appears scarred with nodular regeneration and excessive fibrosis. In most patients with liver cirrhosis, chronic alcohol abuse is responsible for the disease. However, the disease may be caused by several other factors such as, genetic disorders, autoimmune diseases, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Budd-Chiari syndrome and a few drugs.

Cirrhosis is usually asymptomatic in the primary stage and only liver function test or LFT shows slightly elevated enzymes. Some common clinical symptoms of cirrhosis include:

• Enlarged liver
• Jaundice
• Clubbing of nails
• White Nails
• Terry’s Nails
• Male Breast Enlargement
• Hand contractures
• Palmer redness
• Hand contractures
• Parotid swelling
• Bilateral pitting ankle edema

Liver Cancer

Most cancers spread to liver. It is then called metastatic cancer. For example, breast cancer, ovary cancer, cervical cancer, prostate cancer, thyroid cancer, oesophagus cancer, lungs cancer and many more types break away from the primary site of their formation, settle in liver and form solid tumours. Remember that none of these is called liver cancer or hepatocellular carcinoma which actually originates in liver. Tumours in liver can be of two types – benign and malignant.

Liver cancer may not show symptoms in early stages. But once the tumour starts growing, it causes different problems including:

• Fever
• Liver enlargement
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Malaise
• Jaundice
• Anorexia
• Loss of appetite
• Unintended weight loss

If hepatocellular carcinoma is suspected, the doctor will suggest chest X-ray, CT abdomen, bone marrow biopsy, CBC (Complete Blood Count), LFT and histology in addition to biopsy. Without biopsy, cancer is not confirmed whereas, scans and X-rays are done to check the extent of the disease. All these tests are performed at any reputed cancer special hospital in Kolkata.

Fatty liver, alcoholic abuse, viral hepatitis, parasites and cirrhosis etc are believed to have a role in causing liver cancer. Surgical removal of solid tumour, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the standard treatment options. Hepatocellular carcinoma is a life-threatening disease with 5-year survival rate being only 35%.

Differences between Cirrhosis and Liver Cancer

• Cirrhosis is cells regeneration and fibrosis in liver. On the other hand, liver cancer refers to an abnormal and uncontrolled growth of liver cells.
• Cirrhosis affects the entire liver whereas in liver cancer, tumours form locally.
• Cirrhotic changes affect liver uniformly while hepatocellular carcinoma spreads with nodular growths.
• Cirrhotic part cannot be removed but cancer-affected part of the liver can be removed through partial liver resection.
• If managed properly, patients with liver cirrhosis can live longer whereas, prognosis is very poor for liver cancer patients.

Does Cirrhosis Lead to Liver Cancer?

Cirrhosis is one of the causes of liver cancer. If not managed properly, cirrhosis can cause the liver cells to undergo adverse and aggressive mutation, which is one of the causes of cancer.