AI Summary Liver cancer is diagnosed in about 24,000 men and 10,000 women each year in the United States, and roughly 80% of people with cirrhosis go on to develop it.
Medically reviewed.
Liver cancer refers to malignant tumors that grow in the liver, either starting there (primary liver cancer) or spreading from another organ (metastatic liver cancer). The most common primary types are hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which begins in liver cells, and cholangiocarcinoma, which begins in the bile ducts. In children, hepatoblastoma is the most frequent liver cancer.
Liver cancer usually develops over years or decades in people with an underlying chronic liver disease, most often cirrhosis. In the United States, about 24,000 men and 10,000 women are diagnosed with liver cancer each year. Early-stage liver cancer can sometimes be treated successfully, so people with cirrhosis or other risk factors benefit from regular monitoring and specialist care.
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Types of Liver Cancer
Liver cancer is not one disease — it includes several types that start in different liver cells or spread from elsewhere in the body. The type affects how the cancer behaves and how it is treated.
HCC is the most common type of primary liver cancer, starting in the main liver cells (hepatocytes). It develops most often in people with cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis B or C, and it is diagnosed more often in men and in people over age 50.
Cholangiocarcinoma is cancer that starts in the bile ducts, the tubes that carry digestive fluid from the liver to the small intestine. Along with HCC, it is one of the most common types of primary liver cancer.
Hepatoblastoma is a rare liver cancer that occurs almost exclusively in infants and young children. It is the most common type of liver cancer diagnosed in children.
Metastatic liver cancer is cancer that started in another organ, such as the colon, breast, or lung, and spread to the liver. Cancer that spreads to the liver is more common than cancer that begins in the liver cells.
How Liver Cancer May Feel
The signs and symptoms of liver cancer are highly variable in the early stages and often do not appear until the disease is more advanced. That makes regular monitoring important for anyone with cirrhosis or other risk factors.
Liver cancer is diagnosed through a physical exam and imaging and lab tests. Doctors typically start with a physical exam of the abdomen, blood tests that check liver function, and imaging such as ultrasound, CT, or MRI. A liver biopsy — removing a small piece of liver tissue for testing — may confirm the diagnosis, and genetic testing of the tumor can help guide treatment choices.
Learn more about liver testsLiver cancer treatment depends on the liver's condition and the extent of any cirrhosis, the size, location, and number of tumors, whether the cancer has spread beyond the liver, and the patient's overall health. When the cancer is confined to the liver and the rest of the liver is healthy, options may include liver transplant, partial removal of the liver (resection), and local therapies such as radiofrequency ablation, ethanol or acetic acid injection, transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), or radioembolization (SIRT). When the cancer has spread beyond the liver, treatment may involve targeted therapy, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, or radiation, and palliative care to manage symptoms and maintain quality of life. Catching liver cancer at an early stage improves the chances that it can be treated successfully.
Explore liver cancer therapiesHow Liver Cancer Develops
Liver cancer usually develops after years of chronic liver damage. Cirrhosis is the primary risk factor — about 80% of people with cirrhosis go on to develop liver cancer — but several other conditions and habits raise risk as well.
Cirrhosis and chronic liver inflammation are the primary drivers of liver cancer risk. Managing an underlying liver disease, reducing alcohol use, maintaining a healthy weight, and getting vaccinated against hepatitis B are among the most effective ways to lower risk.
There is no special diet that prevents or cures liver cancer, but a liver-healthy eating pattern supports overall liver function and helps manage risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, and fatty liver disease that contribute to cancer risk. A diet high in sugar, fat, and salt can lead to weight gain, type 2 diabetes, and fatty liver disease, which can eventually lead to liver cancer. Healthy nutrition can improve how the liver handles fat, lower inflammation, support weight loss, and balance blood sugar. Pair it with regular physical activity, and ask your care team how your diet should change for your type and stage of liver disease.
A liver-healthy diet is a balanced diet: whole grains, lean protein, vegetables, and fiber, with less sugar, salt, and fatty food, and little or no alcohol. When a full meal is not possible, the Amsety Bar is a liver-healthy meal that fits in your pocket. Always talk with your doctor about your diet.
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common questions
Liver cancer is a malignant disease in which altered liver cells grow fast and replace healthy liver tissue. These cancer cells cannot do the work of normal liver cells. The most common types are hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which starts in liver cells, and cholangiocarcinoma, which starts in the bile ducts. Cancer that starts in another organ and spreads to the liver is called metastatic liver cancer, and it is more common than cancer that begins in the liver itself.
Long-term liver damage is the main cause. Cirrhosis is the biggest risk factor: about 80% of people with cirrhosis go on to develop liver cancer. Chronic hepatitis B or C infection, fatty liver disease that has progressed to inflammation or scarring, type 2 diabetes, obesity, heavy alcohol use, and smoking also raise the risk. Other factors include genetic conditions such as hemochromatosis and Wilson disease, regular exposure to solvents or pesticides, and eating foods contaminated with aflatoxins, which are toxins made by mold.
Often, no. Early symptoms vary from person to person, and many people feel well until the disease is more advanced. Later signs can include yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, pain or pressure in the upper right abdomen, unexplained weight loss, and a swollen abdomen from fluid buildup. Because symptoms can overlap with other liver conditions, see a doctor if you notice new or worsening signs, especially if you have cirrhosis.
People with cirrhosis should be screened, even when they feel well. Guidelines recommend lifelong surveillance for people with cirrhosis, using an ultrasound every 6 months. A blood test called alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is sometimes added to the ultrasound. It makes early-stage cancer easier to detect but can also give more false alarms. Guidelines also recommend surveillance for some people with chronic hepatitis B who do not have cirrhosis, such as men over age 40 and women over age 50 from regions where the virus is common. Ask your liver specialist which schedule fits you.
You cannot prevent every case, but you can lower your risk. Getting vaccinated against hepatitis B is one of the most effective steps. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C, but it can often be treated successfully. Avoiding alcohol, not smoking, keeping a healthy weight, and managing diabetes and fatty liver disease also help. If you are in a high-risk group, get tested regularly for hepatitis B and C. No special diet prevents liver cancer, but a liver-healthy diet and regular activity support your overall liver health.
Treatment depends on the stage, the size and number of tumors, how well the rest of the liver works, and your overall health. If the cancer is still in the liver, a surgeon may remove part of the liver or perform a liver transplant. Other options include tumor ablation, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, radiation or proton therapy, and clinical trials. You and your health care team build a plan around your goals, such as curing the cancer, extending life, or easing symptoms. A second opinion can help you decide. If you choose not to have cancer treatment, you can still receive care for pain and other symptoms.
It depends on the stage. Liver cancer found early, while it is still confined to the liver, can sometimes be treated successfully with surgery or a transplant. For people with early-stage liver cancer who have a transplant, the 5-year survival rate is about 60% to 70%. The 5-year relative survival rate is about 31% when the cancer is localized to the liver, about 11% when it has spread to nearby organs or lymph nodes, and about 3% when it has spread to distant organs. These numbers are averages and cannot predict what will happen to one person. Your doctor can explain what they mean for your situation.
Medical disclaimer: LiverDirectory provides educational information and a directory of providers. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a licensed physician regarding any medical condition.
