Largest internal organ in the human body is the liver, and situated in the upper abdomen, on the right side of the body. Various vital functions are performed by this organ: Makes some of the clotting factors needed to stop bleeding from injury or cut, processes and stores many of the nutrients absorbed from the intestines, secrets bile (Yellow – green fluid passes through the common bile duct into the duodenum (small intestine), where it helps digest fat.) into the intestine to help absorb nutrients, and critically important to remove toxic wastes from the body. Cells within the liver can form tumors, could either cancerous or benign (not cancerous). Benign Tumors are Hemangioma (may need to be removed surgically), Hepatic adenomas (Sometimes attributed to taking birth control pills and men who use anabolic steroids. Sometimes is surgically removed.), and focal nodular hyperplasia. Most common type of liver cancer (tumor) is called hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This type of cancer can spread to other parts of the liver, and in most cases, symptoms do not develop until the advanced stages. One or two of every ten cases of liver cancer is cholangiocarcinoma (Malignant (cancerous) growth in one of the ducts that carries bile from the liver to the small intestine.). Cancer that begins in the liver is call primary liver cancer and cancer that enters the liver from the colon, lungs, breasts or other parts of the body is called secondary cancer. The majority of cancers seen in the liver are of a secondary type (Originates from the stomach, pancreas, and large bowel (colon)).
Liver cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the world and many cases difficult to treat. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 19,160 new cases of liver cancer will be diagnosed in the US during 2007. In the United States, average age onset of liver cancer is sixty to seventy years. The disease occurs more frequently in males (Eighty-five percent – 45 to 85 years old) than females. The development of heptaocellular carcinoma is strongly linked to chronic hepatitis ‘B’ (Virus in the liver causes a life long infection, liver failure and death. In many cases attributed to chronic alcohol abuse. Most people who become infected with hepatitis ‘B’ are treatable and cured within six months). Also, HCC attributed to cirrhosis (Chronic degenerative damage to the liver cells caused primarily by long – term alcoholism) of the liver due to hepatitis ‘C’ infection. Symptoms of liver cancer include: Fever, weakness, anorexia, abdominal fullness or bloating and dull upper quadrant abdominal pain. Often urine will appear darker because cancer blocks the drainage of bile from the liver, thus dark urine. As the tumor grows, pain may radiate to the back. Also, maybe present is jaundice (Icterus – yellow color of the skin and whites of the eyes). Radioisotopes scans, MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) CT scans X-ray, and hepatic arteriography or hepatic angiography (A dye is injected and viewed by X-ray to examine the liver for any signs of a tumor) diagnosis liver cancer. The common treatment of liver cancer: Chemotherapy, and surgical resection of the liver (when the liver cancer has not spread). Untreated liver carcinoma patients usually die in three — four months; treated patients may live six to eighteen months or longer if therapy is successful. In some cases, liver – transplant maybe the only chance for a cure.
German drug-maker Bayer and its US partner Onyx Pharmaceuticals (Biopharmaceutical company developing innovative therapies that target the molecular mechanisms that cause cancer), announced in February 2007, discontinued a phase three clinical trial comparing Nexavar (sorafenib), with a placebo to treat 602 advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients. An independent data monitoring committed recommended that the trial be stopped early, after positive (significantly increased) survival rate in patients with advanced liver cancer and review of the safety and efficacy of the data. Bayer and Onyx plan to file for marketing Nexavar approval in the United States (Food and Drug Administration), and Europe, where it is already approved (In December of 2005 by the FDA) for the treatment of advanced kidney cancer. During the next meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (June 1 – 5, 2007), results of the trial study will be presented. Nexavar (Oral (pill) multi — kinase inhibitor) is type of targeted advantageous therapy, pinpoint cells that have lead to cancer, rather than the conventional treatment of chemotherapy, which kill tumors and harms neighboring tissue. During the process or treatment, stops the blood supply that feeds tumors. Common known side effects of Nexavar include: Diarrhea, rash, fatigue, hand — foot skin reaction, and nausea. Women of child- bearing age or desiring to get pregnant, recommend avoid taking this medication. Merck Finck analyst Carsten Kunold said: “We are quite confident that Nexavar will be approved for the treatment of primary liver cancer based on the positive statements from the independent data monitoring committee.” Nexavar statistically has shown a significant survival benefit in the first line of treatment for metastatic (spread) hepatocellular carcinoma. During the first nine months in 2006, Nexavar had more than $100 million in sales. George Farmer, an analyst with Wachovia Securities Incorporated, in New York said: “Nexavar could generate additional revenue of $220 million by 2010 if cleared for liver cancer.” Hollings Renton chairman and chief executive officer of Onyx said: “Increases our confidence that Nexavar can be a broadly applicable drug for different types of cancer.” The drug is being tested for a range of cancers including non-small cell lung cancer and breast cancer. However, in December of 2006, reported Nexavar was not effective against melanoma (skin cancer).
