What Are the Risk Factors for Liver Cancer?

A liver cancer risk factor is something that increases your chances of getting liver cancer. Different types of cancer have different risk factors. Some risk factors can be controlled such as smoking. On the other hand, age and family history cannot be changed, which means that some risk factors are permanently there and you can do nothing to change them. 

Although risk factors are very important in the diagnosis of liver cancer, they do not tell many details about your cancer. Doctors cannot also use them as the basis for the causes of liver cancer. Having a certain risk factor or multiple risk factors does not necessarily mean that you will get liver cancer. In some cases, individuals who have a few or no risk factors may get the disease. On the other hand, individuals who are subjected to a lot of the risk factors may not get liver cancer at all. 

Scientific research has come up with several risk factors that are likely to increase your risk of getting liver cancer, and they include:

1. Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis is a complication of the liver where the liver cells get damaged and are replaced by a scar tissue. It has been found that people who have liver cirrhosis have an increased risk of developing liver cancer. The major causes of liver cirrhosis are excessive alcohol drinking and chronic hepatitis B and C infections.

2. Gender

According to statistics, liver cancer is very common in males compared to females. The prevalence of liver cancer among men may be as a result of a certain behavior that is more common in men compared to women such as excessive alcohol drinking. However, a certain subtype of liver cancer known as fibrolamellar cancer is very common in women than men.

3. Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (PBC)

Some autoimmune diseases such as primary biliary cirrhosis can affect the liver and also cause liver cirrhosis. PBC causes damage to the bile ducts that are found in the liver, which can lead to cirrhosis. People who have advanced cases of PBC have an increased risk of getting liver cancer.

4. Race or Ethnicity

Some specific races such as those in the United States, Pacific, and Asian Americans, have been found to have a high number of liver cancer cases. Other races that have an increased risk of getting liver cancer are:

• American Indians
• Alaska Natives
• Hispanics or Latinos
• White Africans
• African Americans

5. Excessive Alcohol Drinking

Heavy alcohol consumption is one of the greatest risk factors that accelerate the development of liver cancer. Alcohol abuse has been linked to other liver infections such as liver cirrhosis and hepatitis C that can increase the risk of developing liver cancer as well.

6. Smoking

Cigarette and tobacco smoking have been found to increase the risk of liver cancer development. People who have either hepatitis B or C have an increased risk of getting liver cancer if they smoke. Former smokers are found to have a lower risk than current tobacco smokers, but both parties have a higher risk of liver cancer development compared to non-smokers.

7. Hepatitis B and C

Chronic infections caused by hepatitis B and C viruses have been found to be the greatest and common risk factor for liver cancer development. Chronic or long-term infection of hepatitis B or C can lead to other liver complications such as cirrhosis. These viruses are responsible for making liver cancer one of the most common cancers that affect many people around the globe. For example, in the United States, hepatitis C has been found to be the most common cause of liver cancer. In Asia and other Third World countries, hepatitis B infection is the leading cause of liver cancer.

8. Fatty Liver Disease

Having a nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is another risk factor that can accelerate the development of liver cancer. This disease usually develops in individuals who drink little or no alcohol at all. This type of liver disease is also common among obese individuals.

People with a nonalcoholic fatty liver disease are likely to develop nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) that can go on to cause liver cirrhosis. If these factors are combined together, your risk of developing liver cancer will be increased.

9. Inherited Metabolic Diseases

Some inherited metabolic disorders such as hereditary hemochromatosis can cause liver cirrhosis. This metabolic disease is characterized by the deposition of iron salts in all body organs including the liver. If enough iron settles in the liver, it can cause liver cirrhosis that can lead to liver cancer.

10. Aflatoxins

Aflatoxins are cancer-causing chemicals produced by a fungus that grows on moldy grains such as corn, rice, wheat, soybeans, and groundnuts. This chemical is produced by a fungus growing in cereals or grains that are stored in a warm and moist environment.

Aflatoxin-causing cancer is very common in developing countries, as well as in warmer and tropical countries. According to research, long-term exposure to aflatoxins can be one of the major risk factors for developing liver cancer. The risk also increases in individuals with hepatitis B and C.

11. Obesity

Being overweight or obese can increase your risk of developing liver cancer. Obesity has been found to cause many liver diseases such as cirrhosis that will likely boost your chances of getting liver cancer.

12. Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a disease that has been linked to liver cancer. This type of diabetes has also been linked to other conditions such as alcohol abuse and viral hepatitis infections. Having diagnosed with type 2 diabetes will likely increase your risk of liver cancer since it causes obesity, which in turn, lead to other liver diseases and problems.

13. Rare Diseases

Certain rare infections or diseases are linked to liver cancer development. They include:

• Wilson's disease
• Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT)
• Tyrosinemia
• Glycogen storage diseases
• Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency

14. Parasitic Infections

Some parasitic infections such as schistosomiasis can cause liver damage. Having this disease can increase your risk of developing liver cancer. The parasite that causes schistosomiasis is mostly found in poor areas with tropical and subtropical climates. It causes infections in Asia, South America, and Africa.

15. Arsenic

Arsenic is a naturally occurring chemical that contaminates bodies of water. Arsenic has been found to increase the risk of liver cancer development. Arsenic contamination is common in parts of Asia and the United States.

16. Anabolic Steroids

These steroids are made of male hormones and are mostly used by weightlifters and athletes to burn up fat and develop lean muscles. Long-term use of anabolic steroids has been found to increase the risk of liver cancer. However, there is no liver cancer risk when using cortisone-like steroids such as prednisone, dexamethasone, and hydrocortisone. 

17. Thorotrast and Vinyl Chloride

Exposure to vinyl chloride and thorotrast have been linked to the development of liver angiosarcoma. These chemicals are also found to cause hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma at the same time. Thorotrast is a chemical that was injected in patients as part of an X-ray imaging test in the past. Vinyl chloride, on the other hand, is a chemical that is mainly used in making plastic.  

18. Birth Control Pills

In rare cases, birth control pills or oral contraceptives can cause benign liver tumors known as hepatic adenomas. It has not been confirmed if these pills can increase the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma.

The Bottom Line

There are several factors that likely increase your risk of liver cancer development. Scientists are still conducting more research, trying to look at other possible factors that cause liver cancer. Although there is no proven way to control or prevent this type of cancer, avoiding or lowering risk factors can be an important step to prevent liver cancer.