According to the PDQ Adult Treatment board, patients with large liver lesions more than 1cm in diameter who are also at risk for HCC should undergo testing involving imaging, biopsy or both in order to generate a proper diagnosis. Lesions smaller than 1cm in high-risk patients will be closely monitored, but will not undergo further testing for diagnosis since it is likely a cirrhotic lesion. There are many negative predictors of survival from liver cancer. These include vascular invasion, or when the cancer cells escape into the blood vessels, fibrosis or the formation of excess connective tissue in an organ (in this case the liver) and cirrhosis. Tumor size is also a negative predictor. Imaging : Lesions are imaged using either triple-phase, contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Using CT or MRI, the liver is imaged in two different phases; the arterial phase and the venous phase. Prior to imaging, a contrast media is injected into the patient’s veins to enhance the contrast of various structures in the different phases. Because HCCs only contain blood from the arteries while the rest of the liver has arteries and veins, the contrast media is more highly concentrated in the HCC.

Early Stage Liver Cancer Treatment Early stage liver cancer (stages 0, A and B) consists of localized HCCs presenting as single masses in one area of the liver or multiple small tumors (3 tumors or less with diameters of 3cm or less). These tumors do not display any vascularization and make up 30% of HCC cases. Early stage liver cancer is typically treated by surgical resection, liver transplantation or ablation which is a minimally invasive treatment that destroys tumor tissue. Late Stage Liver Cancer Treatment Advanced stages of liver cancer (stages C and D) are typically treated with transarterial embolization (TAE), transcatheter arterial chemoembolization, targeted therapy and radiation therapy. Surgical Liver Resection Strategies used to treat liver cancer depends on multiple factors including liver function, the extent and location of the tumor, and the patients overall health. While no large studies have been done that compare treatment strategies for early stage liver cancer, the gold standard for treating HCC is surgical liver resection and liver transplantation. Patients with localized HCC that will still have sufficient liver functioning after its removal will usually undergo surgical resection. Liver Transplant For patients with extensive cirrhosis, multiple small (smaller than 3cm) lesions, or patients that would have severely impaired liver function if they underwent resection, liver transplantation may be the best option.

With liver cancer occurring most commonly in low-income countries, the need for safer, cheaper and more effective therapies is extremely high. Below are some possible prevention methods to reduce the likelihood of developing liver cancer. Best Ways To Prevent Liver Cancer Prevention of HBV Infection The primary method of intervening involves prevention of risk factors. For example, the most cost-effective treatment for low-income countries is HBV vaccinations. Chronic cases of HBV can also be treated with medications. Although these treatments can hinder the effects of the infection, they rarely cure it. However, these medications can prevent replication of the virus and thus reduce damage to the liver and risk for liver cancer development. These medications include lamivudine, adefovir, tenofovir, telbivudine, entecavir, and the two immune system modulators, interferon alpha-2a and pegylated interferon alpha-2a. Prevention of HCV Infection Since there is no vaccine for HCV, prevention by controlling HCV infection can be more challenging. The best strategy is to avoid exposure to the virus by reducing exposure to blood products, unprotected sex, and unsafe medical procedures. Strategies include screening of blood donations, use of condoms, use of single use needles, and improving medical procedures and techniques. Antiviral therapies for HCV cured more than half of all treated patients.

Liver cancer is a devastating and common cancer affecting people of from all walks of life all over the world. Though there are effective surgical and chemotherapeutic treatments available, because they are expensive and most cases of liver cancer occur in low-income countries, the best option for combating the disease is prevention of risk factors such as hepatitis B and C virus infections and infections by flatworms. Through additional study and development of preventative measures, the incidence of cancer will hopefully become a disease of the past. Mortality rates are similar to incidence rates in nearly all countries with liver cancer cases. Prognosis is significantly influenced by when the cancer is detected. Early detection significantly improves prognosis since many of these patients are successfully treated. However, advanced stage HCC has a much bleaker prognosis. In the United States, less than 50% of people with liver cancer survive up to one year and 16% five years after diagnosis if left untreated. Prognosis is also affected by other factors such as tumor stage at diagnosis, liver function, tumor size, number of lesions, vascular invasion and spread.

Introduction to  Stroke Many people confuse strokes with heart attacks, but they are separate problems. A stroke attacks the brain not the heart. A stroke is a serious medical condition that results from a blockage of blood supply to a part of the brain. When oxygen-rich blood is unable to reach a section of tissue in the brain, the result will be serious damage and death to said brain cells. The saying “time is tissue” can be used in this scenario. The longer the brain tissue goes without oxygen, the worse off the patient will be. Two-thirds of strokes lead to some form of disability and the recovery period will often be life long. Most people fear the loss of muscle control since strokes often lead to loss of limb movement, speech clarity, and control in the facial muscles. Strokes are among the top five causes of death in the United States. The good news is that the vast majority of strokes are preventable. A healthy lifestyle and with diet and exercise can reduce risk of strokes ­ Types of Stroke Your central nervous system is composed of two part; the brain and spinal cord. For your brain to function properly it needs to be supplied with adequate amounts of blood.