BACK
TO
TOP
Browse A-Z
Print-Friendly
Bookmarks
bookmarks-menu

Liver cancer - hepatocellular carcinoma

Primary liver cell carcinoma; Tumor - liver; Cancer - liver; Hepatoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma is cancer that starts in the liver.

Causes

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common type of liver cancer. It occurs more often in men than women. It is most often diagnosed in people age 50 or older.

Hepatocellular carcinoma is not the same as metastatic liver cancer. Metastatic liver cancer starts in another organ (such as the breast or colon) and spreads to the liver.

In most cases, the cause of hepatocellular liver cancer is long-term damage and scarring of the liver (cirrhosis). Cirrhosis may be caused by:

  • Alcohol overuse
  • Autoimmune diseases of the liver
  • Hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus infection
  • Inflammation of the liver that is long-term (chronic hepatitis)
  • Iron overload in the body (hemochromatosis)

People with hepatitis B or C are at high risk for liver cancer, even if they do not develop cirrhosis.

Symptoms

Symptoms of liver cancer may include any of the following:

  • Abdominal pain or tenderness, especially in the upper-right part
  • Easy bruising or bleeding
  • Enlarged abdomen due to fluid in the abdomen (ascites)
  • Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice)
  • Unexplained weight loss

Exams and Tests

Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask about your symptoms. The physical exam may show an enlarged, tender liver or other signs of cirrhosis.

If your provider suspects liver cancer, tests that may be ordered include:

Some people at risk for liver cancer may get regular blood tests and ultrasounds to see if tumors are developing.

Treatment

Treatment depends on how advanced the cancer is.

Surgery may be done if the tumor has not spread. Before surgery, the tumor may be treated with chemotherapy to reduce its size. This is most often done by delivering the medicine straight into the liver with a tube (catheter).

Radiation treatments in the area of the cancer may also be helpful.

Ablation is another method that may be used. Ablate means to destroy. Types of ablation include using:

  • Radio waves or microwaves
  • Ethanol (an alcohol) or acetic acid (vinegar)
  • Extreme cold (cryoablation)

A liver transplant may be recommended.

If the cancer can't be surgically removed or has spread outside the liver, there is usually no chance for long-term cure. Treatment instead focuses on improving and extending the person's life. Treatment in this case may use targeted therapy with drugs that can be taken as pills. Newer immunotherapy drugs may also be used.

Support Groups

You can ease the stress of illness by joining a cancer support group. Sharing with others who have common experiences and problems can help you not feel alone.

Outlook (Prognosis)

If the cancer can't be completely treated, the disease is usually fatal. But survival can vary, depending on how advanced the cancer is and how successful treatment is.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Contact your provider if you develop ongoing abdominal pain, especially if you have a history of liver disease.

Prevention

Preventive measures include:

  • Preventing and treating viral hepatitis may help reduce your risk. Childhood vaccination against hepatitis B may reduce the risk for liver cancer in the future.
  • Not drinking alcohol in excess.
  • Screening for liver cancer in people with certain types of hemochromatosis (iron overload).
  • Screening for liver cancer in people who have hepatitis B or C or cirrhosis.
Open References

References

Abou-Alfa GK, Jarnagin W, El Dika I, et al. Liver and bile duct cancer. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Kastan MB, Doroshow JH, Tepper JE, eds. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 77.

Di Bisceglie AM, Befeler AS. Hepatic tumors and cysts. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 96.

National Cancer Institute website. Adult primary liver cancer treatment (PDQ) - health professional version. www.cancer.gov/types/liver/hp/adult-liver-treatment-pdq. Updated August 22, 2023. Accessed September 8, 2023.

National Comprehensive Cancer Network website. NCCN clinical practice guidelines in oncology: hepatocellular carcinoma. Version 2.2023. www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/hcc.pdf. Updated September 4, 2023. Accessed September 28, 2023.

  • Digestive system

    Digestive system - illustration

    The esophagus, stomach, large and small intestine, aided by the liver, gallbladder and pancreas convert the nutritive components of food into energy and break down the non-nutritive components into waste to be excreted.

    Digestive system

    illustration

  • Liver biopsy

    Liver biopsy - illustration

    A liver biopsy is not a routine procedure, but is performed when it is necessary to determine the presence of liver disease and to look for malignancy, cysts, parasites, or other pathology. The actual procedure is only slightly uncomfortable. Most of the discomfort arises from being required to lie still for several hours afterwards to prevent bleeding from the biopsy site.

    Liver biopsy

    illustration

  • Hepatocellular cancer - CT scan

    Hepatocellular cancer - CT scan - illustration

    A CT scan of the upper abdomen showing an widespread (disseminated) carcinoma of the liver (hepato cellular carcinoma). The liver is the large organ on the left side of the picture. Note the moth-eaten appearance.

    Hepatocellular cancer - CT scan

    illustration

  • Digestive system

    Digestive system - illustration

    The esophagus, stomach, large and small intestine, aided by the liver, gallbladder and pancreas convert the nutritive components of food into energy and break down the non-nutritive components into waste to be excreted.

    Digestive system

    illustration

  • Liver biopsy

    Liver biopsy - illustration

    A liver biopsy is not a routine procedure, but is performed when it is necessary to determine the presence of liver disease and to look for malignancy, cysts, parasites, or other pathology. The actual procedure is only slightly uncomfortable. Most of the discomfort arises from being required to lie still for several hours afterwards to prevent bleeding from the biopsy site.

    Liver biopsy

    illustration

  • Hepatocellular cancer - CT scan

    Hepatocellular cancer - CT scan - illustration

    A CT scan of the upper abdomen showing an widespread (disseminated) carcinoma of the liver (hepato cellular carcinoma). The liver is the large organ on the left side of the picture. Note the moth-eaten appearance.

    Hepatocellular cancer - CT scan

    illustration

A Closer Look

 

Tests for Liver cancer - hepatocellular carcinoma

 
 

Review Date: 8/28/2023

Reviewed By: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
© 1997- adam.comAll rights reserved.

 
 
 

 

 

A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.