Hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma is cancer that starts in the liver cells, or hepatocytes.  It is liver damage manifested by scarring (called cirrhosis) and is the primary risk factor for liver cancer.

Scarring may be caused by viral hepatitis with hepatitis B and C being the most common, and can also be caused by alcohol abuse, hemochromatosis, certain autoimmune diseases of the liver, and diseases that result in chronic inflammation of the liver.

Symptoms hepatocellular carcinoma include abdominal pain and tenderness, jaundice, enlarged abdomen and easy bruising or bleeding.