AI Summary Liver cancer treatment includes targeted therapy, immunotherapy, locoregional procedures, surgical resection, and liver transplantation, chosen by cancer stage, liver function, and overall health.
Medically reviewed.
Liver cancer therapies treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of primary liver cancer, and other liver cancers. Treatment may include medicines that target tumor growth, immunotherapy, procedures that treat tumors directly, surgery, or a liver transplant. Your plan depends on the stage of the cancer, how well your liver works, and your overall health.
On this page, you can explore the four main treatment groups: targeted therapy, immunotherapy, locoregional and interventional therapies, and surgical and curative therapies. You can also learn how healthy habits support treatment and how your care team monitors your progress. A liver specialist can help you decide which treatment fits your situation.
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LIVER CANCER TREATMENT OPTIONS
Liver cancer treatment falls into four groups. Some treatments work throughout the body, such as medicines given by mouth or by infusion. Others treat the tumor directly or remove it. Many people receive more than one type over time.
Explore the four groups below. Which one applies depends on the size, number, and location of your tumors, your liver function, and your overall health.
Targeted therapies are prescription medicines that block proteins involved in tumor growth and in the blood vessels that feed a tumor. They are used for unresectable or advanced HCC, when surgery or local treatments alone are not enough. Options include Nexavar (sorafenib), Lenvima (lenvatinib), Stivarga (regorafenib), Cabometyx (cabozantinib), and Avastin (bevacizumab).
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Immunotherapy medicines help your immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. They are used for unresectable or advanced HCC. Options include Tecentriq (atezolizumab), Imfinzi (durvalumab), Imjudo (tremelimumab), Opdivo (nivolumab), and Keytruda (pembrolizumab). Imfinzi and Imjudo are given together in a combination called the STRIDE regimen.
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These treatments target liver tumors directly while limiting effects on the rest of the body. They include histotripsy, transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), transarterial radioembolization (TARE, also called Y-90), radiofrequency ablation (RFA), microwave ablation (MWA), and percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI). They may be used alone or with surgery or systemic medicines.
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Surgical resection removes the part of the liver that contains the tumor. Liver transplantation replaces the diseased liver with a healthy donor liver. Both are curative treatments, and both are used mainly for early-stage HCC in carefully selected patients.
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DIET & LIFESTYLE CHANGES FOR LIVER CANCER
Your treatment does most of the work against the cancer, but healthy habits help protect your liver and support recovery. For locoregional procedures, patients are advised to avoid alcohol, stay hydrated, follow liver-friendly nutrition, and keep every follow-up visit. Explore the topics below to learn more.
Patients treated with locoregional procedures such as TACE, TARE, RFA, and MWA are advised to avoid alcohol. Ask your care team whether this applies to your treatment.
Staying hydrated and following a liver-friendly diet are part of the care plan for many liver cancer treatments. Ask your care team which foods and fluids fit your plan.
Keep your oncology and imaging visits. After some procedures, your provider may also ask you to avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activity for a short time. Follow the instructions you are given.
Alongside liver cancer treatment, a balanced diet supports your liver. Talk with your care team about foods and products that fit your plan.
Explore Liver Health Nutrition Bars
CHOOSING A LIVER CANCER TREATMENT
The right treatment depends on the stage of the cancer, how well your liver works, and your overall health. Providers also look at the size, number, and location of tumors.
The summaries below are general. Your healthcare provider will decide which approach fits your diagnosis, liver health, and medical history.
Surgical resection or liver transplantation may be considered when HCC is found early. Resection removes the tumor and a margin of tissue around it. It is most common in people with a tumor confined to part of the liver, enough healthy liver tissue, and no significant portal hypertension. A transplant may be considered for early-stage HCC that meets transplant criteria, often in people who also have cirrhosis. Both can offer a long-term cure in carefully selected patients.
Radiofrequency ablation and microwave ablation use heat to destroy tumors. RFA is most often used for small tumors. MWA is commonly used for small to intermediate-sized tumors. Both are image-guided, minimally invasive procedures that may be an option when surgery is not. RFA can be curative in carefully selected patients.
When cancer cannot be removed and is mostly confined to the liver, TACE or TARE may be recommended. TACE delivers chemotherapy to the tumor's blood supply and blocks that supply. TARE delivers radioactive microspheres through the same blood vessels. Histotripsy is a non-invasive option that uses focused sound waves for tumors that are not suitable for surgery. Your provider will consider whether these fit your tumors and liver function.
Targeted therapy and immunotherapy are systemic treatments. They work throughout the body and are used for unresectable or advanced HCC. Some are used first. Others are used if the cancer has progressed after earlier treatment. Some are given in combination, such as Tecentriq with Avastin, or Imfinzi with Imjudo.
TREATMENT MONITORING
Regular monitoring helps your healthcare provider see how you are responding to treatment and catch changes early. Depending on your treatment, follow-up can include imaging, laboratory tests, and clinical check-ups.
After TACE, TARE, RFA, MWA, and histotripsy, follow-up imaging checks how the tumor responded and looks for signs that cancer has come back.
Laboratory testing is done before treatment to plan care. Liver enzymes can rise for a short time after some procedures. Your provider will tell you which tests you need.
Immunotherapy requires regular monitoring for immune-related side effects. Report severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, jaundice, shortness of breath, or extreme fatigue right away. With Avastin, also report abdominal pain or severe headaches promptly.
After a liver transplant, you need lifelong monitoring. This includes immunosuppressive therapy, laboratory testing, and surveillance for complications or recurrence.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Yes, in some cases. Surgical resection and liver transplantation are curative treatments for carefully selected people, mostly those with early-stage HCC. Resection needs a tumor confined to part of the liver and enough healthy liver tissue. A transplant may be an option when the cancer meets transplant criteria and is confined to the liver. Your provider will tell you whether either applies to you.
Unresectable means the tumor cannot be removed with surgery. Many liver cancer therapies are designed for this situation. They include targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and liver-directed procedures such as TACE and TARE. Your provider decides whether a tumor is unresectable based on its size, number, and location and on how well your liver works.
Locoregional therapies treat liver tumors directly while limiting effects on the rest of the body. Examples include ablation with heat (RFA or MWA), TACE, TARE, histotripsy, and percutaneous ethanol injection. Providers recommend them based on the size, number, and location of your tumors and your liver function. They may be used alone or with surgery or medicines.
Targeted therapy blocks proteins that help tumors grow and form blood vessels. Immunotherapy helps your immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. Both are used for unresectable or advanced HCC, and some are given in combination. Your provider will choose based on your cancer stage, liver function, and overall health.
Side effects depend on the treatment. Targeted therapy such as Avastin can cause high blood pressure, fatigue, protein in the urine, bleeding, or belly discomfort. Procedures such as ablation or TACE can cause pain, fever, abdominal discomfort, or a short rise in liver enzymes. Immunotherapy can cause immune-related side effects, so report severe diarrhea, belly pain, jaundice, shortness of breath, or extreme fatigue right away. Review the full risks and benefits with your provider.
Yes. Follow-up imaging checks how the tumor responded and whether cancer has returned. Immunotherapy needs regular monitoring for side effects. After a liver transplant, you need lifelong monitoring, including immunosuppressive therapy, lab tests, and checks for complications or recurrence. Ask your provider which follow-up schedule applies to you.
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.
