This report will explain how liver cancer affects the liver. I will discuss how liver cancer affects the normal functioning of the liver, what causes liver cancer, how this cancer can be detected, and how this cancer can be treated. I will end with a discussion of the frequency of liver cancer. The liver is a vital organ that performs multiple functions to allow the body to function normally. The liver stores vitamins, sugar and iron to help provide energy to the human body. It controls the production and elimination of cholesterol and rids the blood of waste, drugs and other toxins. Additionally, the liver produces clotting factors to prevent excessive bleeding after cuts or injuries. The liver produces immune factors and removes bacteria from the bloodstream to fight infections. It also releases a substance called “bile” to help digest food and absorb essential nutrients into the body. The liver is located just below the diaphragm in the upper right part of the abdomen, usually below the ribs. However, it also spreads to the central and left area of ​​the upper abdomen. A tumor is a mass/growth of tissue made up of cancer cells that continue to reproduce. Because the liver is made up of several different types of cells, many types of tumors can form in the organ. If left untreated, these tumors can grow, attack and damage nearby tissues, and continue to spread to other organs. As tumors grow, they can cause pain and bleeding inside the liver. Liver functions may also be impaired and eventually the liver could fail. Although the sources of liver cancer are still unknown, there are some known risk factors. Viral infections of the liver, such as chronic hepatitis B or C, can cause liver disease.... middle of paper ......tation. This cancer is one of the fastest growing cancers in Canada. It is especially common in men and is generally diagnosed after the age of 45. liver-works.aspx http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/cid/documents/webcontent/003114-pdf.pdf http://www.cancer.org/cancer/livercancer/index http://chealth .canoe.ca/channel_condition_info_details.asp?disease_id=276&channel_id=12&relation_id=1619 http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-help/type/liver-cancer/treatment/statistics-and-outlook-for-liver-cancer http http://www.cancer.org/cancer/livercancer/overviewguide/liver-cancer-overview-treating-chemotherapy http://www.cancer.ca/~/media/cancer.ca/CW/cancer%20information/cancer% 20101 /Canadian%20cancer%20statistics/canadian-cancer-statistics-2013-FR.pdf