The liver is the biggest organ in the body, and its primary role is to detoxify the blood and eliminates the toxic substances. All blood vessels are lined by endothelial cells, which formed the layer called endothelium. All veins (like portal, central, and sub-lobular) are involved.

With angiosarcoma of the liver, a tumor grows from the endothelial cells. In the liver, dangerous toxins are often present and therefore given the opportunity to act on the cells at the gene level. The damage inflicted by these interactions can take years before showing any symptoms or signs. The blood system can spread out these cancerous cells throughout the liver and other parts of the body without detection. Both lobes of the liver are often involved because the tumor is multi-centric.

Signs and symptoms of angiosarcoma of the liver are not specific and usually difficult to differentiate from those of other diseases. Some patients may display the following:

• Ascites (presence of fluids in abdominal cavities)
• Abdominal pain (right upper part)
• Jaundice
• Enlarged liver
• Painless lump in the breast
• Reduced appetite
• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Asymptomatic (especially in the early stages)

Angiosarcoma of the liver is a rare type of cancer and not easily diagnosed. It is often associated with previous exposure to toxins like arsenic, vinyl chloride, and thorium dioxide (Thorotrast). People may still develop the cancer even when exposure happened thirty years ago. Treatment options are surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. However, the survival rate is minimal. Early detection of the disease is very important.

Tags: angiosarcoma of the liver | angiosarcoma of the liver | angiosarcoma treatment | angiosarcoma treatment | angiosarcoma symptoms | angiosarcoma symptoms | vinyl chloride | vinyl chloride | cancer

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