Liver cancer
Globally, , liver cancer resulted in 754,000 deaths, up from 460,000 in 1990, making it the third leading cause of cancer death after lung and stomach. In 2012, it represented 7% of cancer diagnoses in men, the 5th most diagnosed cancer that year. Of these deaths 340,000 were secondary to hepatitis B, 196,000 were secondary to hepatitis C, and 150,000 were secondary to alcohol. HCC, the most common form of liver cancer, shows a striking geographical distribution. China has 50% of HCC cases globally, and more than 80% of total cases occur in sub-Saharan Africa or in East-Asia due to hepatitis B virus. Cholangiocarcinoma also has a significant geographical distribution, with Thailand showing the highest rates worldwide due to the presence of liver fluke.
Ultrasonography of liver tumors
Malignant liver tumors develop on cirrhotic liver (hepatocellular carcinoma, HCC) or
normal liver (metastases). They are single or multiple (especially metastases), have a
variable, generally imprecise delineation, may have a very pronounced circulatory signal
(hepatocellular carcinoma and some types of metastases), have a heterogeneous structure
and are firm to touch, even rigid. The patient's general status correlates with the underlying
disease (vascular and parenchymal decompensation for liver cirrhosis, weight loss, lack of
appetite and anemia with cancer).