Liver cancer is a malignant tumor that originates from liver cells. The most common form ishepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which develops from hepatocytes, the main functional cells of the liver. Less commonly, liver cancer may arise from bile duct cells or other liver tissues.
The liver plays a vital role in metabolism, detoxification, bile production, and protein synthesis. Because early liver cancer often causesfew or no symptoms, many patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage, when treatment options become limited.
Liver cancer is particularly common in regions with a high prevalence of chronic viral hepatitis, includingAsia and Africa. It is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death worldwide.
Types
Primary Liver Cancer
Cancer that starts in the liver.
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
Most common type (≈75–85%)
Originates from hepatocytes
Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma
Arises from bile ducts within the liver
More aggressive, poorer prognosis
Hepatoblastoma
Rare
Occurs mainly in children
Secondary (Metastatic) Liver Cancer
Cancer that spreads to the liver from other organs such as:
Colon
Lung
Breast
Pancreas
(Metastatic tumors are more common than primary liver cancer.)
Liver cancer staging considerstumor size, number, vascular invasion, liver function, and spread.
Early Stage
Small tumor(s)
Confined to the liver
Liver function relatively preserved
Potentially curable
Intermediate Stage
Multiple tumors
No distant spread
Limited treatment options
Advanced Stage
Invasion into blood vessels
Spread to lymph nodes or distant organs
Symptoms more severe
End Stage
Poor liver function
Extensive tumor burden
Palliative care focus
Risk Factors
ChronicHepatitis B or C infection
Liver cirrhosis (any cause)
Alcohol-related liver disease
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
Diabetes and obesity
Exposure toaflatoxins(contaminated food)
Smoking
Family history of liver cancer
Early liver cancer is often asymptomatic.
As the disease progresses:
Right upper abdominal pain or discomfort
Unexplained weight loss
Loss of appetite
Fatigue and weakness
Abdominal swelling (ascites)
Jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes)
Nausea or vomiting
Easy bruising or bleeding
Diagnosis usually involves a combination of:
Blood Tests
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)
Liver function tests
Viral hepatitis screening
Imaging Studies
Ultrasound (screening tool)
CT scan
MRI (high sensitivity for liver lesions)
Biopsy
Confirms diagnosis when imaging is inconclusive
Sometimes avoided if imaging is characteristic
Facts (FAQ)
Q1: Can liver cancer be prevented?
Yes. Vaccination against Hepatitis B, early treatment of Hepatitis C, avoiding excessive alcohol, and maintaining a healthy weight significantly reduce risk.
Q2: Is liver cancer curable?
Early-stage liver cancer may be curable with surgery or transplantation. Advanced stages are usually not curable but treatable.
Q3: Who should be screened?
People with chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, or long-term liver disease should undergo regular screening.
Q4: Does liver cancer grow fast?
Growth rate varies. Some tumors progress slowly, while others are aggressive.
Q5: Is liver cancer painful?
Pain usually occurs in later stages when the tumor enlarges or spreads.
Song Shijun, professor, chief physician, CPC member, has been engaged in clinical work of oncology fo...
She specializes in various minimally invasive treatments for tumors, especially chemotherapy, targete...
Ma Xiaoying, more than 20 years experience of clinical work in oncology, and is currently a member...
Dr. Lin Jing has been engaged in clinical work in oncology for nearly 20 years and is currently a mem...
Prof. Wang Ligen serves as a Visiting Specialist for Southeast Asia Lectures and Consultations at Mod...
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11.Making an Appointment (phone, web, email)
22.Arriving at the local branch office for a free remote consultations
33.Local branch office assisting visa application
44.Arriving in the hospital for treatment
55.MDT team making a treatment plan
66.Accepting treatment for cancer
77.Treatment finish and patient discharged
88.Demanding for return visit and follow-up by local branch office
Liver cancer refers to malignant tumor in liver, with patients’ average age 44. The average live time is half a year without timely treatment or proper treatment plan. There is no obvious symptom in the early stage. Once detected, it’s already in middle or advanced stage. Therefore, it’s very important to make a timely and effective diagnosis for liver cancer.
Diagnosis Methods of Liver Cancer
1、Ultrasound diagnosis:It applies B-type ultrasonography to indicate the sizes, shape of tumor and can discover the lesion whose diameter is about 2cm or even less, and it has became the most common and effective method for diagnosing liver cancer;
2、Radioisotopic hepatic scanning: shows enlargement of liver and liver has lost its normal morph. But such scanning can hardly indicate the tumor with diameter less than 3 cm on the films;
3、CT check: CT features high resolution and can detect early liver cancer with tumor’s diameter even being about 1cm;
4、MRI: MRI has high sensitive and can distinguish benign and malignant tumor;
5、Selective celiac or hepatic arteriography: it can indicate out tumor with the diameter even among 0.5-1cm and localize the position of lesion, as well as its sizes, distributions. This is especially valid for small tumor localization of liver cancer.
Experts from St. Stamford Modern Cancer Hospital Guangzhou remind that as for liver cancer’s diagnosis, in order to guarantee the effect and safety of exam, it’s necessary to go to a regular hospital.
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Liver Cancer Stages and Corresponding 5-year Survival Rate：
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*Disclaimer: The effect of treatment varies from person to person. The information on the website of Modern Cancer Hospital Guangzhou is for reference only, and cannot be used as the basis for medical diagnosis and treatment, nor can it replace the doctor's diagnosis and treatment. For more details, please review the Liability Clause.
