Liver Cancer

Key Points

Overview

Commonly affected areas:

Liver cancer occurs when cells in the liver grow abnormally and form a tumor. The most common type, hepatocellular carcinoma, usually develops in a liver already affected by long-term conditions such as chronic hepatitis B or C infection, cirrhosis, or fatty liver disease. Because the liver often compensates well for early damage, many cases are diagnosed only after the cancer has grown or spread. Treatment depends heavily on how much healthy liver tissue remains, alongside the size, number, and location of tumors. Management typically involves a team spanning hepatology, oncology, and surgery.

Signs and Symptoms

People with liver cancer may experience

• Unexplained weight loss over weeks or months
• Loss of appetite or feeling full quickly
• Pain or swelling in the upper abdomen
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes
• Persistent fatigue and weakness
• Nausea or vomiting

Things That Increase the Risk

Factors that increase the risk of liver cancer include:

• Chronic hepatitis B or C infection
• Long-term heavy alcohol use
• Cirrhosis from any cause
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
• Exposure to certain toxins such as aflatoxins
• Family history of liver disease or cancer

Diagnosis

Diagnosis typically involves:

• Blood tests measuring liver function and tumor markers
• Ultrasound, CT, or MRI imaging of the liver
• Biopsy to confirm the type of cancer
• Staging tests to check for spread beyond the liver

Treatment & Management

• Avoid alcohol entirely
• Follow a liver-friendly, balanced diet
• Attend all scheduled monitoring appointments
• Report new symptoms to the care team promptly

• Targeted or immunotherapy medications
• Locoregional therapies such as ablation or embolization
• Surgical resection or liver transplant
• Ongoing monitoring for recurrence

Prevention

Preventive steps include:

While not all cases of liver cancer can be prevented, reducing known risk factors can lower the likelihood of developing it.

• Getting vaccinated against hepatitis B
• Limiting alcohol consumption
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Managing chronic hepatitis infections with treatment
• Avoiding exposure to known liver toxins

Related Conditions

You might also want to learn about:

• Cirrhosis
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C
• Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Available Treatments

Explore our range of treatment options for Liver Cancer:

Surgical Options

Learn about surgical procedures available for Liver Cancer: