This page was reviewed under our medical and editorial policy by Maurie Markman, MD, President, Medicine & Science
This page was updated on August 18, 2022.
Liver cancer is the 13th most common cancer in the United States, with about 41,630 new cases expected to be diagnosed in 2024. The liver is a critical organ the body cannot live without. It helps filter impurities and produces bile, which helps the body digest food and process fats. Damage to the liver from illness or disease may increase the risk of liver cancer and impact treatment options for the diseases.
At City of Hope, our medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, interventional radiologists and other experts have years of experience delivering the range of cancer treatments available for liver tumors. Our whole-person care model is designed to support patients throughout their treatment journey and includes supportive care services to help them manage side effects and maintain their quality of life.
This overview will cover the basic facts about liver cancer, including:
The liver lives in the upper right portion of the abdomen, where it takes up considerable space beneath the diaphragm and above the stomach. In fact, it’s the largest internal organ in the human body. The liver’s main job is to clean the blood and help remove toxins and waste. It breaks down substances such as alcohol and drugs.
The liver also performs more than 500 essential tasks for the body, including:
Liver cancer begins in the cells of the liver. Some cells may start rapidly dividing and form one or more tumors that interrupt the organ’s function.
Liver cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world and is now the fastest-growing cause of cancer death. It also occurs more frequently in men, with the disease affecting men about three times more often than women. The incidence rate of the disease is also increasing exponentially.
The American Cancer Society estimates 41,630 new cases of liver cancer and intrahepatic bile duct cancer, which forms in the bile duct branches in the liver, will be diagnosed in the United States in 2024.
A person may be at higher risk for liver cancer if one or more of these risk factors below apply.
Blood tests or an ultrasound may help catch cancer early, when it’s most treatable. For those with a higher risk for liver cancer, doctors may recommend regular screening.
Symptoms of liver cancer may not be noticeable until the disease has progressed to an advanced stage.
Liver cancer symptoms may include:
Liver cancer is primary or secondary. Primary liver cancer begins in the liver. Secondary liver cancer is metastatic, meaning it started somewhere else and moved into the liver. For example, lung cancer that spreads to the liver is still called lung cancer, and doctors may treat the cancer in the liver as part of a lung cancer treatment plan. In the United States, secondary liver cancer is more common than primary liver cancer.
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), typically related to cirrhosis or chronic liver damage, is the most common form of primary liver cancer. The liver is mostly made up of blood vessels, and this is where cancer usually starts. This cancer may develop as one large tumor, but it’s more common for multiple small tumors to form throughout the liver.
Other types of primary liver cancer include:
Cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) forms in bile ducts inside or near the liver. About 10-20 percent of primary liver cancers are cholangiocarcinomas.
Angiosarcoma and hemangiosarcoma are rare, fast-moving cancers that affect the thin layer of cells that line blood vessel walls in the liver.
Hepatoblastoma is a childhood cancer that affects fetal liver cells.
Doctors may order tests to determine how much primary liver cancer has progressed, called the stage of cancer. MRI, PET or CT scans are imaging tests that may help find cancerous cells in the body. After doctors analyze the patient’s test results, they may determine the cancer’s stage and discuss the most appropriate treatment options to consider.
There are several types of liver cancer staging systems, and some are used more than others in different parts of the world. A patient’s care team is the best resource for understanding the stage of any particular type of cancer.
Diagnosis of liver tumors may include:
Many treatment options are used for liver cancer, including surgery, radiation therapy and immunotherapy. The appropriate option may depend on how much liver damage has been caused by cancer or other conditions, and whether the cancer has spread elsewhere in the body, among other factors.
Treatment options for liver cancer include:
At City of Hope, we understand that liver cancer and other malignancies of the gastrointestinal tract create unique challenges for patients, and that treatment options are very specific to each disease. That’s why each City of Hope hospital has a GI Cancer Center dedicated to diagnosing, treating and supporting the quality of life of patients with liver and other GI cancers. Committed to offering state-of-the-art treatments for patients with liver cancer, our multidisciplinary team of board-certified medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists and supportive care clinicians work with our patients to deliver quality clinical care with a patient-centered approach. After your diagnosis, your GI Cancer Center care team will discuss your options with you and help you develop a personalized care plan tailored to your individual needs.
Because of the digestive tract’s role in processing food and waste, many patients with gastrointestinal disease have difficulty with digestive function. That’s why nutrition therapy is a key component of our GI Cancer Centers’ approach. Each center is staffed by oncology-trained dietitians who work with patients in developing a healthy, balanced and appetizing nutrition plan. If patients become malnourished, the dietitian is available to help them establish healthy lifestyle and eating habits to help improve their condition.
The GI Cancer Center teams also work closely with other supportive care clinicians to manage additional disease- and treatment-related side effects, such as nausea and vomiting. These supportive care experts may include a pain management physician, naturopathic provider, behavioral health provider and spiritual support provider.
Qualified patients may enroll in carefully selected clinical trials. Your care team will discuss whether you qualify for any of our ongoing clinical trials and, if so, help you enroll.
If you're interested in learning more about liver cancer treatment at City of Hope, or if you want a second opinion about your diagnosis and treatment plan, call us or chat online with a member of our team.
Managing the side effects of liver cancer treatment is important to your recovery and quality of life. At City of Hope, our team of experts offer supportive care services designed to help you stay strong and maintain your quality of life throughout treatment. These therapies may include:
