Liver Cancer (Fact Sheet)

How is liver cancer treated? 

Treatment depends on:
(a) the type of liver cancer and (b) the amount of the liver affected by the cancer.

Primary liver cancers
Hepatomas
Since most hepatomas start in people who have cirrhosis, doctors will regularly screen such patients in order to detect the occurrence of a hepatoma as soon as possible. This screening may involve regular ultrasound scans and blood testing for alpha-fetoprotein (as mentioned above).  A number of treatments are available. First, if the cancer is small and the liver cirrhosis is not too severe, the part of the liver containing the cancer may be removed by an operation. If the cancer is small but the cirrhosis has severely affected the liver, then occasionally a liver transplant may be considered. There are many factors that are taken into account before considering liver transplantation.

Other means of treating hepatomas include injecting substances directly into the cancer to attempt to kill the cancer cells, or injecting materials into the blood supply to the cancer. This stops blood getting to the cancer cells, which should kill them, or slow their growth.

Cholangiocarcinomas
This type of primary liver cancer is very difficult to cure. The bile duct cells that have turned into a cancer often grow and block the main bile duct draining the liver. A blocked bile duct will cause jaundice. By inserting a tube (called a stent) through the blockage, the jaundice can be relieved. The size and position of the cancer can then be assessed with a view to the possibility of having an operation.

Secondary liver cancers

When cancer of the colon or rectum (bowel cancer) is diagnosed, the doctor or surgeon will frequently check to see if the cancer has spread to the liver. If a secondary cancer is found it may be possible to surgically remove it. The removal of not only the original bowel cancer, but also the secondary liver growth, means a cure is possible. Most other types of secondary cancers in the liver are difficult to remove through surgery. These are usually treated with chemotherapy (drugs) in order to slow down the growth of cancer cells.

Is liver cancer preventable?

With secondary cancers, it is important to try to prevent the original cancer from starting. Stopping smoking greatly reduces the risk of developing lung cancer and possibly stomach cancer. Eating more fresh fruit and vegetables reduces the chance of suffering from colon cancer. Reducing alcohol intake to within the recommended limits (2 drinks per day for men; 1 per day for women), will reduce the chance of liver cirrhosis and hence hepatomas arising.

Many liver cancers are currently very difficult to cure. A lot of research is being done on new ways to attack cancer cells that are growing in the liver. These ways include the development of new drug therapies, different surgical operations, and even attempts to alter the DNA code within the individual cells in order to stop them from growing. Another area of study is researching how and why these cancers start.

Source: National Cancer Institute