TikTok star Rachel Yaphe tragically passed away at the age of 27 due to a rare form of liver cancer. She had been fighting cancer for seven years and died on October 11. Throughout her journey, Rachel frequently shared her experiences on social media. In her final post, she mentioned feeling weak and experiencing a loss of appetite following radiation treatment, which was evident in her deteriorating condition.
Rachel’s battle with cancer began during her teenage years when she noticed unusual symptoms. Initially suspecting gluten intolerance, her concerns were taken seriously by her doctor, leading to a referral to a specialist. Subsequent examinations uncovered a 20-cm tumor in her liver, and a biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma, a rare cancer.
What is this rare cancer?
This type of cancer is extremely uncommon, affecting only about 200 individuals worldwide each year. It primarily occurs in teenagers and young adults. Due to its lack of specific symptoms, this disease is often diagnosed late, by which point it may have already spread to other parts of the body.
