The liver plays a vital role in the body, keeping it free from toxins and breakdowns, while storing nutrients absorbed in the intestine. It also makes bile which helps to absorb nutrients.

When cancer cells develop in the liver, it is known as primary liver cancer, and when it develops in other parts of the body and spreads to the liver, it is called secondary liver cancer. People suffering from hepatitis A or C, cirrhosis, or who consume excessive alcohol have a higher risk of developing liver cancer.

Types of liver cancer, their symptoms, and treatments include the following:

1. Hepatocellular carcinoma
This type of cancer develops in the main liver cells. Alcohol consumption, infections such as hepatitis B and C, fatty liver, and diabetes are some of the causes of hepatoma liver cancer. This condition is more common in men than in women. If diagnosed at an early stage, liver cancer treatments such as liver transplantation can be effective. The other treatments include medication, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Pain or swelling in the upper portion of the belly, yellow skin and eyes, loss of appetite, and weight loss are some of the symptoms of hepatocellular carcinoma.

2. Fibrolamellar carcinoma
A rare subtype of hepatocellular carcinoma, this condition affects people with healthy livers and those aged between 20 to 50 years of age. Liver cancer treatments for this type include liver transplantation or resection. Jaundice, chills, bloating, and fatigue are some symptoms exhibited due to fibrolamellar carcinoma.

3. Cholangiocarcinoma
This type of liver cancer occurs in the bile ducts of the digestive system. The bile ducts are tubes that connect the liver to the gallbladder and small intestine. They carry the digestive fluid, bile. Chronic infection or inflammation of the bile ducts can cause cholangiocarcinoma. Jaundice, dark urine, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite are some of its symptoms.

4. Liver Angiosarcoma
A rare form of liver cancer, liver angiosarcoma develops in the lining of the blood and lymph vessels. Genetics and chronic infections are some causes of this type of cancer. There are no specific symptoms exhibited when suffering from this condition. As a result, it is difficult to diagnose this condition at an early stage. Angiosarcoma usually occurs in the head, neck, breast, and liver. Elderly people are more susceptible to this disease.

5. Hepatoblastoma
Usually diagnosed in infants and toddlers, hepatoblastoma is a rare type of liver cancer. Infants born prematurely or with a family history of polyposis coli or Beckwith-Widemann syndrome are at risk of developing hepatoblastoma. The symptoms of hepatoblastoma include swollen abdomen, vomiting, fever, and pale skin. The treatments for liver cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, and, in rare cases, liver transplant along with medications.