Overview

Causes

Cancer happens when cells divide without control or order. These cells grow together to form a tumor. They can invade and damage nearby tissues. They can also spread to other parts of the body.

It is not clear what causes changes in the cells. It is likely a combination of genes and environment.

Risk Factors

Liver cancer is more common in men, and older adults. Other things that raise the risk are:

  • Hepatitis B or hepatitis C infection
  • Cirrhosis
  • Alcohol use disorder
  • Exposure to certain toxins
  • Certain genetic problems, such as hemochromatosis
  • Obesity
  • Tobacco use
  • A diet high in fat, especially saturated fat
  • Diabetes

SymptomsandDiagnosis

Symptoms

There may be no symptoms in the early stages of liver cancer.

When symptoms happen, they may be:

  • Yellowing of the skin or whites of the eye—jaundice
  • Loss of hunger and weight
  • Tiredness and weakness
  • Belly pain, swelling, or nausea
  • Dark urine
  • Itching

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done.

Tests may include:

  • Blood tests
  • Biopsy—a sample of tissue is taken and tested
  • Laparoscopy—to look inside the liver

Imaging tests will check for tumors and the spread of cancer. They may include:

  • MRI scan
  • CT scan
  • Bone scan

The exam and test results are used to diagnose the cancer. They are also used for staging. Staging outlines how far and fast cancer has spread.

Treatments

Treatment

The goal is to remove the cancer, if possible. Treatment depends on the stage of the cancer. It also depends on the person's health.

Options may be:

  • Surgery to try to cure the cancer, such as:
    • Removing the tumor, nearby tissue, and possibly nearby lymph nodes
    • A liver transplant
  • Other procedures, such as:
    • Cryosurgery—freezes and destroys tumors
    • Ethanol ablation—kills cancer cells by injecting alcohol into the tumor
    • Embolization—injected substances decrease the liver's blood supply to cancer cells
    • Radiofrequency ablation— uses heat to destroy the tumor
  • Chemotherapy by mouth, injection, or IV— to kill cancer cells
  • Biological therapies—to help the body fight cancer
  • External or internal radiation—to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors

Prevention

The risk of liver cancer may be reduced by:

  • Having children get the hepatitis B vaccine
  • Drinking alcohol moderately
  • Eating a healthy diet
  • Practicing safe sex
  • Using clean needles—if injecting medicines or drugs

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

Edits to original content made by Denver Health.