•Liver cancer
Following the death of Nollywood actor Alex Ekubo, more details have emerged concerning the cause of death.
Nollywood filmmaker Stanley Ontop revealed that Alex Ekubo had secretly been battling stage 4 liver cancer since 2024, and it eventually led to the actor’s death.
Tributes have continued to flood Ekubo’s Instagram page, as fans and colleagues mourn his death, reports The Nation.
Here are important things to know about liver cancer:
What is liver cancer?
Liver cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the liver begin to grow uncontrollably. The most common type is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which starts in the main liver cells called hepatocytes.
The liver is one of the body’s most important organs. It helps filter toxins, process nutrients, digest food, and store energy. When cancer affects the liver, these vital functions become impaired.
Liver cancer often develops silently
One of the biggest dangers of liver cancer is that it may not show symptoms in its early stages. Many patients only discover the disease when it has already advanced.
Common symptoms may include:
* Persistent abdominal pain
* Unexplained weight loss
* Loss of appetite
* Fatigue and weakness
* Swollen abdomen
* Yellowing of the eyes and skin (jaundice)
* Nausea and vomiting
Because these symptoms may appear gradually, many people ignore them until the condition worsens.
Hepatitis infections are major risk factors
Chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections are among the leading causes of liver cancer worldwide. These infections can damage the liver over time and eventually lead to cirrhosis or cancer.
Health experts frequently stress the importance of hepatitis screening and vaccination, especially for hepatitis B, which is preventable through vaccination.
Discussions online following reports about Alex Ekubo’s death also highlighted the link between hepatitis infections and liver cancer.
Excessive alcohol use can damage the liver
Long-term heavy alcohol consumption can severely damage the liver and increase the risk of liver cancer. Alcohol-related liver disease often progresses gradually over several years.
Other lifestyle-related risk factors include:
* Smoking
* Obesity
* Fatty liver disease
* Exposure to harmful chemicals
* Poor diet and unhealthy lifestyle habits
Early detection improves survival chances
Doctors say routine medical checkups are critical because liver cancer is easier to treat when discovered early.
Tests that may help detect liver problems include:
* Liver function tests
* Ultrasound scans
* CT or MRI scans
* Blood tests such as AFP (alpha-fetoprotein)
People with hepatitis, liver disease, or a family history of cancer are usually advised to undergo regular monitoring.
Treatment depends on the stage
Treatment options vary depending on how advanced the cancer is and the overall health of the patient.
Possible treatments include:
* Surgery
* Liver transplant
* Chemotherapy
* Radiation therapy
* Immunotherapy
* Targeted drug therapy
