In itself, liver cancer is a disease that – fortunately – only spreads to a limited extent. But the number of registered cases of this relatively rare form of cancer is on the rise, reports an update from the Erasmus MC in Rotterdam. Although the number of cases in absolute numbers remains limited, each case of liver cancer is one too many. What is the cause of this doubling? And what can we do to reduce the number of cases of liver cancer and detect it early? Liver cancer in itself is a disease that – fortunately – only spreads to a limited extent. But it is a form of cancer that, according to available figures, is on the rise in registered cases. In 1992, 171 cases of liver cancer were registered, according to a press release from Erasmus MC Rotterdam. But in 2009 that number more than doubled, to 364 cases. Although in absolute terms this is still a small number of the total number of cancer cases, each case is one too many. So the question is: what is the cause of this doubling? And what can we do to reduce the number of liver cancer cases?

Cause and risk

There is a possible cause for the increasing number of cases of liver cancer that falls under the heading of ‘a blessing in disguise.’ In recent years, there has been better screening of people who are at increased risk of liver cancer. This occurs in people who consume an excessive amount of alcohol, but also in patients who have a hepatitis B or C virus infection. All this is evident from the results of research by physician-researcher Carlijn Witjes, who recently received her PhD for this research.

Damage to the liver

Not only people with hepatitis B or C infection, but also people with liver damage due to alcohol consumption have an above-average risk of liver cancer. When patients are being treated for hepatitis, it is already good practice to regularly use an ultrasound scan of the liver to check whether there are traces of possible liver cancer. As with many types of cancer, the earlier liver cancer is detected, the better the chance of limiting the damage and curing it.

Mortality rate can be reduced

Unfortunately, liver cancer is only discovered at a late stage in relatively many patients. This makes the chance of survival very small on average: only fifteen percent of the entire patient group in which liver cancer is diagnosed are still alive after five years. Carlijn Witjes believes that this mortality rate should be reduced. Carlijn Witjes: “There is a gain to be made by providing good information about the risks of liver cancer to people with hepatitis B and C. Previous research has shown that an estimated ten percent of Chinese Rotterdam residents are infected with hepatitis B. If they regularly If you had it screened by a gastroenterologist, liver cancer could be detected at an earlier stage.

Multidisciplinary treatment teams

Not only through early detection, but also through effective forms of treatment, benefits can be achieved in curing liver cancer. Witjes’ research shows that people with liver abnormalities must be quickly referred to treatment centers where multidisciplinary treatment teams work. Witjes: “The best diagnoses and treatment strategies can often be determined most quickly in multidisciplinary teams.

Erasmus MC Rotterdam

Erasmus MC is the largest University Medical Center in the Netherlands. Nearly 13,000 employees work within the core tasks of patient care, education and science. They develop knowledge, transfer it to future professionals and apply it in patient care. Over the next five years, Erasmus MC wants to grow into one of the best medical institutes in the world. Erasmus MC is part of the Dutch Federation of University Medical Centers (NFU): www.nfu.nl