Why Give Wednesday: Liver Cancer

First, let’s start with the liver…

The liver is the second most important organ in your body and the largest organ inside your abdomen.  It is found right being your ribs on the right side of your body.

Its purpose?

-The liver removes harmful substances from the blood

-It makes enzymes and bile that help digest food

-It converts food into substances needed for life and growth.

What is Liver Cancer?

Liver Cancer is known as a Gastrointestinal Cancer, which is among the most deadly cancer types, and in some cases, some of the most difficult to treat.  In 2014, the National Cancer Institute estimated approximately 33,190 new cases of primary liver cancer and bile duct cancers in the United States and 23,000 deaths from the disease. Secondary liver cancer is cancer that spreads to the liver from another part of the body.

Facts on Liver Cancer

• Liver cancer is seen more often in men than in women. An average man's lifetime risk of getting liver or intrahepatic bile duct cancer is about 1 in 81, while an average woman's risk is about 1 in 196.
• The average age at diagnosis of liver cancer is 63. More than 95% of people diagnosed with liver cancer are 45 years of age or older. About 3% are between 35 and 44 years of age and about 2% are younger than 35.
• Liver cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, accounting for more than 600,000 deaths each year.

Why UAB?

At UAB, treatment options are contemporary, accurate, efficient, and effective. Patients diagnosed with liver cancer can rest assured that they have an expert team behind them. Liver Cancer Patients will be treated within the UAB Multidisciplinary Gastrointestinal Oncology Clinic. When patients choose to be treated here they benefit from a team of physicians who are specialists in their fields, who care for patients with state-of-the-art technology. These specialists work in collaboration with members from the Department of Radiation Oncology, and Divisions of Hematology/Oncology, Gastroenterology, Endoscopy, and Radiology making a variety of innovative diagnostic and therapeutic modalities available to patients.

Visit our website for more information, your support is greatly appreciated. Donations are accepted here.