Liver Cancer kills millions. Due to FDA regulations and Hepatitis immunizations, the prevalence of liver cancer is low in the United States.  The American Cancer Society estimates 19,160 new diagnosis of liver cancer in 2007.  13,650 of those diagnosed with liver cancer will be men.  Even with treatment, 11,280 men are projected to die from liver cancer in 2007.  The symptoms of liver cancer are silent, the treatments are few, and prognosis is dim.  Scientists are diligently searching for a cure.  A recent breakthrough in treatment, as reported by the New York Times, is new drug called Nexavar, which extended lives of patients by 35%. 

In the United States, Hepatitis C (HCV) is the most common cause of liver cancer.  There is no vaccine for it.  The Hepatitis C virus is spread through blood transfusions, dirty needles, unprotected sex, and childbirth.  In other countries, Hepatitis B (HBV) is prevalent, however a vaccine to prevent Hepatitis B is widely available in the United States.  Public measures could certainly reduce instances of liver cancer, and the October 15, 2006 issue of "Cancer" reported that "Colchicine, an anti-inflammatory drug most often used to treat gout, prevented liver cancer in patients with hepatitis virus-related end-stage liver disease".  Methods for reducing incidences of liver cancer are out there - they just need to be applied.

Cirrhosis of the liver, a result of alcohol abuse, is a condition that can lead to liver cancer.  Risk factors also include diabetes, smoking and obesity.  Aflatoxins are known to cause liver cancer but are regulated by the FDA in the US.  Exposure to vinyl chloride and thorium dioxide and anabolic steroids are also believed to be liver cancer contributors.

Researchers have recently reported that men produce more of protein interleukin-6 (IL-6) than women do.  IL-6 adds to the chronic liver inflammation that causes cancer. "Science" magazine suggests reducing the amount of IL-6 in men or giving men an estrogen-like compound might help reduce liver cancer rates.  Estrogen keeps the amount of this protein women do have in balance, which might explain their lower rates of liver cancer.

Symptoms of liver cancer could be ongoing stomach pain, a mass in the area of the liver, jaundice, swollen veins, and becoming sicker for those suffering from chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis.  There are no screening tests for liver cancer and small tumors are not easily detectable.  A blood test for a protein called AFP (alpha-fetoprotein) is sometimes used to diagnose liver cancer, however this test usually only produces results for advanced stages.  Laparoscopy is an invasive procedure that allows the doctor to look at the organs inside the body, and doctors are also looking at laparoscopic surgery to treat liver cancer.  Removal of the tumor with surgery, radiation and chemotherapy are common treatments for liver cancer. 

Clinical results of new treatment methods for liver cancer come through every day.  But, the belatedness of liver cancer symptoms and the diagnostic tests make these clinical test results a little too late for many.  The United States has the power and the knowledge to slice the deadly instances of liver cancer in half.  If only they could work as fast as the disease.