Smokin Joe Frazier
Joe Frazier is just one of the 26,190 new cases of liver cancer expected in the US this year. He`s also just one of the 19,590 estimated deaths that will occur from the fifth most frequently diagnosed cancers in the world. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) primary liver cancer (Hepatocellular carcinoma) is responsible for most accounts of liver cancers. This year it has been detected in roughly 19,000 men and about 7,000 women in the United States; the majority of them will be over the age of 64 but age varies based on geography.
Hepatocellular carcinoma is different from metastatic liver cancer, which originates in another organ like the breast or colon and then spreads to the liver. Most cases of liver cancer are seen in people who have scarring of the liver (cirrhosis) which can be caused by one of the following: alcohol abuse, autoimmune diseases of the liver, chronic/long-term inflammation of the liver, Hepatitis B or C viral infections or Hemochromatosis (iron overload)
- Symptoms can manifest themselves in different ways. Most commonly seen symptoms are:
- Abdominal pain or tenderness, especially in the upper-right quadrant of the stomach
- Easy bruising and/or bleeding
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
Prognosis of Hepatocellular carcinoma is usually poor since so few cases are detected early enough to receive treatments such as aggressive surgery or a liver transplant, and also because only 10-20% of Hepatocellular carcinomas can be removed by surgery. Most people diagnosed who are unable to have all of the cancer removed are typically expected to live from 3 to 6 months following diagnosis.
Joe Frazier was only diagnosed in September of this year and within a few weeks the cancer metastasized, spreading to other organs in his body.; `Smokin` Joe passed just 2 months after his diagnosis. If you are experiencing any of the listed symptoms or have a family history of liver cancer talk to your healthcare professional and visit www.cancer.gov/for more information. Rest in Peace `Smokin` Joe (January 12, 1944-November 7, 2011)
