Can alcoholism and fatty liver increase cancer risk at 34?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 34-year-old male. Recently, I have been feeling a fear of having liver cancer due to my history of heavy alcoholism. I have mentioned my risk factors below:

My body weight is 196 pounds and my height is 5.45 feet.

I had mumps at the age of 5 years.

I have kidney stones (as per the reports attached).

I had hepatitis A in 2004.

I was a heavy alcoholic from 2008 to 2012 with a daily intake of almost 10 fluid ounces of hard spirit.

I reduced alcohol intake after being diagnosed with grade 1 fatty liver for the last five years.

Presently, I have pain or sensitivity in the upper right quadrant, a day after drinking alcohol. I have had alcohol twice, and the pain goes away after 3-4 days of abstinence from alcohol.

High calcium level as per the attached blood report.

Low vitamin D level as per the attached blood report.

I have sensitivity in the neck area.

Although I have been having a good appetite, I still feel that I may have a very early stage of HCC (Hepatocellular carcinoma) or any other liver complication.

My questions are:

What is your opinion towards the risk factor of having HCC on the basis of the attached reports and the above-mentioned risk factors?

I have been using Livatone Plus for the last 4 months, one capsule 2 times a day. Do they interfere with alcohol drinking 2-3 times a week?

I have recently started to take multivitamin tablets (Ranbaxy Revital) once daily, without any prescription, after feeling tiredness and fatigue. Is it fine to take these tablets?

Is tiredness and fatigue a cause of long-term alcohol abuse?

Do you suggest any further tests, and if yes, then within what time limit can I do it, as I am planning to go for a whole body check-up only after 3 months due to insurance restrictions?

If I have very early-stage cancer, will it reach a complicated level after 3 months?

I feel breathless after having food. Is this due to the reason I am asthmatic, as this symptom relieves once I take a puff of Asthalin? Or, is it due to any liver complication?

I feel darkness under my eyes. Is it due to any liver disease that may be progressing?
Do my high albumin level and low alkaline phosphatase levels signify any liver complications?
Does a normal LFT rule out HCC or cirrhosis at an early stage?

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Your reports are essentially normal except for elevated cholesterol (attachments removed to protect patient identity).

Yes, you have a risk of HCC due to alcohol intake.

Grade 1 fatty changes in the liver may be due to obesity and alcohol consumption.

But still, you do not need to worry, alcohol induced hepatitis changes are reversible in the initial stages.

And you need to lower your weight to at least 176 pounds.

You have not mentioned fasting glucose level, as it is necessary, especially when your cholesterol level is elevated.

The pain in the right side of the abdomen may be due to fatty liver, kidney stones, or acidity.

HCC in the case of alcoholism occurs after cirrhosis, i.e, in the advanced stage of the disease.

It may occur without cirrhosis in the case of hepatitis B and C infection.

Hepatitis A, mumps, and kidney stones are not risk factors for HCC.

You have mentioned some rash in the neck, which may be due to a multivitamin deficiency, particularly of niacin, so continue taking revitalizing capsules.

You do not need any other investigations, but you can get vaccination done for hepatitis B (if not done previously) to prevent infection, as well as HCC, and also get a test for hepatitis B and C prior to vaccination.

Final advice is just to forget alcohol and any other bad habits, as well as HCC.

I hope this information helps you.

Feel free to ask further queries.

Thank you.