Liver cancer is a serious disease that affects the liver, one of the most important organs in your body. The liver plays a central role in:
Liver cancer can affect many systems in the body. It often happens in people who have had liver disease for a long time.
This section focuses on primary liver cancer, which is cancer that starts in the liver. Primary liver cancer is different from metastatic cancers, which are cancers that spread to the liver from other organs. Primary liver cancer is also not the same as bile duct and gallbladder cancers, which happen in nearby parts of the body but behave differently.
Liver cancer happens when liver cells develop changes that make them grow uncontrollably. Over time, these abnormal cells form tumors that make it harder for your liver to work the way it should.
Most cases of liver cancer develop in people who have chronic liver damage, inflammation or scarring. This is why liver cancer is closely tied to conditions such as cirrhosis, viral hepatitis and fatty liver disease.
Liver cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide. It is a leading cause of cancer-related death, especially in places where hepatitis B and C infections are common.
Specialized physicians who treat liver cancer include surgical, medical and radiation oncologists (who treat people with cancer) and hepatologists (who focus on diseases of the liver). At Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, your care team includes liver cancer experts, including experienced surgeons skilled in delicate liver surgery procedures.
In addition, liver cancer treatment at Banner MD Anderson includes integrative oncology care, which provides complementary therapies that help with all aspects of cancer care.
There are several types of primary liver cancer. Understanding the type helps your care team recommend treatments and provide a more accurate prognosis.
Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common form of liver cancer. It begins in hepatocytes, which are the main cells of the liver.
HCC most often develops in people with:
HCC may appear as a single tumor or multiple tumors throughout the liver. Many people with HCC already have liver disease, so treatment planning must account for both the cancer and liver function.
Fibrolamellar carcinoma is a rare type of liver cancer. Unlike HCC, it often affects adolescents and young adults and typically happens without cirrhosis or chronic liver disease.
Fibrolamellar carcinoma behaves differently from HCC and may need different treatment strategies. It’s important for fibrolamellar carcinoma to be diagnosed early and accurately.
Learn more: Signs, symptoms and types of liver cancer.
Although these cancers affect nearby organs, liver cancer is a separate disease.
These cancers develop, spread and are treated differently. This section focuses on cancers that begin in the liver itself.
For detailed information on related cancers, visit:
Liver cancer happens when changes in the DNA of liver cells make them grow out of control, causing a tumor. Liver cancer risk is higher in people who have long-term liver damage. People with chronic liver disease need to be monitored closely, because liver cancer often has no symptoms in its early stages.
Higher-risk groups include people with:
Liver cancer is more common in men than in women and risk tends to get higher as you get older, especially if you already have chronic liver disease.
Learn more: Causes and risk factors for liver cancer.
Liver cancer is often diagnosed with advanced imaging, rather than surgery or biopsy. Blood tests and imaging studies can identify tumors, see how well the liver is functioning and tell whether cancer has spread.
Treatment depends on:
Some people may be candidates for surgery, liver-directed therapies or transplant, while others benefit from systemic treatments such as immunotherapy.
Learn more:
If you have liver cancer, you need specialized expertise to help balance cancer control with liver health. Banner MD Anderson brings together a multidisciplinary team of specialists to deliver coordinated care designed just for you.
You benefit from our:
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