Liver Cancer

More than 700,000 people are diagnosed with liver cancer each year worldwide.1

What is liver cancer?

Liver cancer is a type of cancer that begins when liver cells develop changes (mutations) in their DNA. This can result in uncontrolled cell growth and metastasis (tumor formation).1

What are the signs and symptoms?

Most people don’t have signs and symptoms in the early stages of primary liver cancer. Symptoms in later stages may include weight loss, appetite loss, fatigue, upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and yellowed skin.1

What is the most common type of liver cancer in adults?

Approximately 40,000 new cases of liver cancer are diagnosed each year in the United States. Majority of liver cancers are hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC), which originate from hepatocytes, the main type of liver cells.1

What is the most common type of liver cancer in children?

Hepatoblastoma (HB) is the most common pediatric primary hepatic tumor accounting for 70% of all pediatric liver malignancies.2 HB affects approximately 162 children per year in the United States with a median age of 3 years.3 HCC is the second most common pediatric primary hepatic tumor accounting for 27% of all pediatric liver malignancies.2 Approximately 44 cases of pediatric HCC are diagnosed in the United States per year, most diagnosed in adolescence and young adulthood.4,5

Liver Cancer Biomarkers
AFP & GPC3
are expressed in ~70% of liver cancers and AFP is commonly used as a diagnostic marker.*

The role of AFP

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is an intracellular protein that is normally produced by the yolk sac and the liver in a baby before it is born and declines by one year of age. However, in many people with liver cancer, such as HCC, HB and HCN-NOS (Hepatocellular Neoplasm-Not Otherwise Specified), the level of AFP rises. Although the function of AFP remains unclear, it is believed to promote the reproduction of cells, prevent cell death, and suppress the immune system; all attributes of disease progression.6

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) video

The role of GPC3

Glypican 3 (GPC3) is a cell-surface protein, which is normally detected in the placenta and in numerous tissues within a growing embryo. In a healthy adult liver, there is no GPC3 on the cell surface, but in a majority of liver cancers such as HCC, HB and HCN-NOS, it is abundant. GPC3 is thought to play a role in the regulation of cell growth and differentiation, suggesting that it increases growth in tumors that have high levels of GPC3.7
 

Glypican 3 (GPC3) video

References:
 

1. www.cancer.org 
2. Meyers RL. Surgical Oncology. 2007;16(3):195-203. 
3. Trobaugh-Lotrario AD, et al. Pediatric Blood & Cancer. 2013;60(11):1817-25. 
4. Bulterys GM, et al. SEER Pediatric Monograph. Chapter VII Hepatic Tumors (1975-1995). 
5. Howlader NA, et al. SEER Cancer Statistics Review (1975-2009). 
6. Pardee AD, et al. Journal of Immunology. 2014;193(11):5723-32. 
7. Iglesias BV, et al. Histology and Histopathology. 2008;23(11):1333-40. 
*  GPC3: ccr.cancer.gov; AFP: clinlabnavigator.com