‘Screen those with liver cirrhosis frequently to detect cancer’

The risk of developing liver cancer, which ranks fifth among different types of cancers in the world, is high among those with liver cirrhosis or a progression of fatty liver disease. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a very common disorder and refers to a group of conditions where there is accumulation of excess fat in the liver. 

A sub section of population with fatty liver has non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a more advanced stage of NAFLD, and has a higher risk of progressing to liver cirrhosis, as there is degeneration and inflammation in the liver. 

Dr Dinesh Jothimani, Senior Consultant, HPB and Transplantation, Gleneagles Global Health City, explains the math behind the incidence of the disease. “Among the 67 million population of Tamil Nadu, an estimated 30 per cent have fatty liver (around 20 million). Out of the 20 million, 10 per cent have severe fatty liver called NASH. We are not saying everyone can develop it, but it can be secondary fatty liver disease in some cases,” he says. He adds that Hepatitis B and C that have been the commonest causes for the cancer have effective treatment. “But fatty liver doesn’t have an effective one,” he points out. 

Dr Jothimani adds that he has begun to see many cases in the clinical set up. “Fatty liver is common in both men and women, but the severe form is common among men. Therefore, cirrhosis and liver cancer are higher in men. In 60 -70 per cent of people who develop liver cancer the disease manifests itself only in the advanced stages. Liver can accommodate a football size tumour and there could be no symptoms till it has progressed. And, symptoms like tiredness, swelling or loss of appetite are missed in the age group of 50-65 years,” he says.

Dr P Basumani, Medical Gastroenterologist at Fortis Malar Hospital, says it is predominant in persons who are obese and without diabetes. He adds, “The only way to avoid any complication is to adopt a healthy lifestyle. One should increase intake of proteins, green leaf and vegetables. Exercise is essential to improve liver’s functioning.” 

Experts say that those with liver cirrhosis should get a screening done once in six months to diagnose the cancer at the earliest. At an early stage, liver cancer can be cured completely with liver resection or transplant. 

Dr Jothimani also adds that with fatty liver striking the young, leading a sedentary lifestyle, there is a fear of rise in the potential cases who could develop liver cirrhosis.