Liver cancer can be caused by hepatitis B, which is probably the major cause of liver cancer worldwide. It is often associated with cirrhosis and can be caused by certain parasites, drugs and environmental toxins. Some are born with a liver disease, others contract it at birth or early in life. Advances in liver transplantation offer hope for children with severe, irreversible liver disease. In this condition, the body's own immune system, for unknown reasons, attacks the liver cells often leading to chronic active hepatitis and cirrhosis.
Some patients require treatment with corticosteroids, which suppress the overactive immune response.
It is most common in young women, but can be found in all age groups as well as men. Alcohol-related liver disease is a major problem in Canada. These may be present either alone or in combination. Hemochromatosis Hemochromatosis is a hereditary disease in which the body absorbs too much iron from the diet resulting in the accumulation of iron in the liver and other organs. Individuals with hemochromatosis frequently have no symptoms until the disease has produced severe irreversible damage to the liver or pancreas.