What Are the Differences Between Cirrhosis and Liver Cancer?
Disease description:
I have long noticed some pain in the liver area and suspected cirrhosis, but hospital examinations revealed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). What are the key differences between cirrhosis and liver cancer?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Shen Yonghua
The primary distinction between cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is that cirrhosis is a benign condition, whereas HCC is malignant. Cirrhosis results primarily from hepatocyte injury and death, leading to abnormal hepatocyte proliferation and subsequent fibrosis. In contrast, HCC arises from a primary malignant tumor within the liver. With appropriate and timely treatment, cirrhosis typically does not significantly affect patient survival; however, HCC invariably impacts patient prognosis and survival.
