At UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, you benefit from the latest research and treatments. Our specialists work together to find the best approach to treat liver cancer and improve your quality of life.
Medically reviewed by Lea Matsuoka, M.D. on July 06, 2023.
At UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, our cancer specialists diagnose and treat all types of liver cancer. We use the latest therapies while giving you the support you need.
Liver cancer is when cancer forms in the cells of your liver. Your liver helps filter wastes from your blood and store nutrients from your intestines, among other functions.
Cancer that develops first in the liver is called primary liver cancer. There are two types of primary liver cancer:
Cancer that starts elsewhere in your body and spreads to your liver is called secondary liver cancer, or metastatic liver cancer.
Some people have no symptoms in the early stages of liver cancer. When symptoms do occur, they may be similar to those of other conditions.
Some common symptoms of liver cancer include:
If you have any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical care or call 911:
Cancer can form when your liver cells grow abnormally. Certain factors may increase your risk of getting liver cancer.
Sometimes the same condition may be both a cause and a risk factor.
The DNA in your liver cells controls how they develop and function. When this DNA undergoes changes (mutations), healthy liver cells can become cancerous.
Cirrhosis is when scar tissue replaces healthy liver cells.
Hepatitis B and hepatitis C are viruses that can invade your liver cells and alter the DNA inside.
Some inherited diseases increase liver cancer risk. These diseases include Alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency, glycogen storage diseases, hemochromatosis, porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT), tyrosinemia and Wilson disease.
Some fungi produce aflatoxin, a substance that causes cancer after long-term exposure. These fungi are most common in tropical countries. They often grow on improperly stored grains and nuts.
Heavy use of alcohol raises your risk of liver cancer, especially if you develop cirrhosis.
The number of years you’ve smoked and number of cigarettes per day increase your liver cancer risk.
Being very overweight increases your risk of liver cancer, in part because it can lead to cirrhosis.
Asian Americans and Alaska Natives have the highest risk of liver cancer.
Men are at higher risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) than women.
At UC Davis Health, we use the latest tests and techniques to diagnose liver cancer. We’ll first do a physical exam to look for liver cancer signs, such as a yellowish color to your eyes or skin (jaundice).
If your physician suspects liver cancer, they may use tests that include:
At UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, we offer complete care for people with all stages of liver cancer. Our team of specialized physicians works together to develop the ideal treatment plan for each patient. Our innovative therapies and advanced medicines ensure you always receive the highest level of care.
A surgical oncologist removes the liver cancer along with some healthy tissue around it (partial hepatectomy, or liver resection).
We replace your liver with a healthy liver from a donor. We may use this surgery if you have small tumors that we can’t remove by surgery and that haven’t spread into blood vessels.
This procedure destroys liver tumors directly without surgery. Ablation therapy may use electric currents (radiofrequency ablation), extreme cold (cryoablation), electromagnetic waves (microwave ablation) or alcohol injections (percutaneous ethanol injections).
We inject substances into your arteries to block or lessen blood flow to liver tumors.
We can inject drugs that focus on specific parts of liver cancer cells, which cause those cells to die. We often use targeted therapy for advanced liver cancer.
We use medications that help your immune system fight liver cancer cells. We usually give immunotherapy through an intravenous (IV) infusion. We typically use immunotherapy for advanced liver cancer.
High-energy X-rays can destroy liver cancer cells while avoiding the surrounding healthy tissue. We may use radiation therapy if surgery, ablation or embolization aren’t options for you or if the liver cancer has spread.
Chemotherapy (chemo) uses drugs to kill liver cancer cells. We may use chemo to treat more advanced liver cancer if other treatments have not helped.
You can lower your risk for liver cancer by:
"What Is Liver Cancer," American Cancer Society, https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/liver-cancer/about/what-is-liver-cancer.html
3XSince 1980
2ndHighest number of cancer deaths worldwide
Sources:
American Cancer Society: Key Statistics About Liver Cancer
StatPearls: Liver Cancer
Our cancer specialists provide thorough evaluations and personalized treatment plans. Learn more about how to make an appointment at UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center.
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