Treatment of Liver Cancer
What is liver cancer?
Liver cancer is one of the fastest-growing cancer types in the United States. Liver cancer begins within the cells of the liver. The liver is located in the upper abdomen near the stomach, intestines, gallbladder, and pancreas. The liver stores nutrients, removes waste, filters chemicals in food and alcohol, and produces bile.
The three most common liver cancer types include:
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): The most common liver cancer, which begins in the main type of liver cell (hepatocyte).
- Intrahepatic cancer (IHC): Bile duct cancer represents 10 – 20% of all liver cancer cases.
- Hepatic angiosarcoma: A very rare type of liver cancer and represents 1% of liver cancer cases. This type of liver cancer begins in the lining of blood cells in the liver.
What are the risk factors for liver cancer?
The most common risk factor for liver cancer is chronic hepatitis B (HBV) or hepatitis C (HCV) infections. These infections can cause cirrhosis, which can lead to liver cancer. Other activities or conditions can raise the risk of blood cancer which include:
- Excessive alcohol consumption.
- Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).
- Obesity.
- Type 2 diabetes.
- Tobacco use.
- Exposure to aflatoxins.
How do I lower my risk for liver cancer?
Cirrhosis is the scarring of the liver and increases the risk of liver cancer. To reduce the risk of cirrhosis, you can do the following:
- Avoid drinking alcohol or drink in moderation.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Get vaccinated against hepatitis B.
How is liver cancer diagnosed?
A health care provider can begin asking about your symptoms or medical history. After completing a physical exam, your health care provider may recommend several tests. These tests may include the following:
- Angiograms: Helps examine the liver’s blood vessels.
- Blood tests: Indicates liver function.
- Imaging tests: CT scans, ultrasounds, or MRIs, can identify signs of cancer in specific parts of the body.
- ERCP test: Utilized to diagnose bile cancer in the liver.
- Liver biopsy: Detects cancer in the liver.
What are the signs of liver cancer?
In the early stages, liver cancer may not have symptoms that can be seen or felt. However, as the cancer grows larger, people may begin experiencing symptoms. Liver cancer symptoms can vary based on the type. The most common signs and symptoms of liver cancer can include the following:
- Dark-colored pee or grey or pale stool.
- Unexplained bruising.
- Fever.
- Fatigue.
- Hard bump or lump on the right side of the body, below the ribcage.
- Itchy skin.
- Unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite.
- Loss of appetite or nausea.
- Upper abdominal pain on the right side of the body.
- Yellowing of skin and whitening of the eyes.
What are treatment options for liver cancer?
The Gastrointestinal and Neuroendocrine Multidisciplinary Team at Karmanos Cancer Institute will design a treatment plan specific to your diagnosis. Treatments for liver cancer will vary based on the type and characteristics of the cancer. You and your cancer care team will work together to decide on the best, personalized treatment plan for you.
Early detection is one of the most powerful weapons in the fight against cancer.
Information about liver cancer, causes, risk factors, diagnosis and treatment.