Liver Cancer
Liver tumors encompass a large spectrum of benign and malignant neoplasms, both primary and metastatic. In addition, a variety of non-neoplastic tumor-like masses deserve attention because they can simulate neoplasms. Liver tumors, also called hepatic tumors, are growths on or in the liver. Benign (non-cancerous) tumors sometimes grow large enough to cause health problems. Liver tumors that are malignant and growing into nearby tissue or spreading to other parts of the body are liver cancer.
Most people don't have signs and symptoms in the early stages of primary liver cancer. When signs and symptoms do appear, they may include:
After someone is diagnosed with liver cancer, doctors will try to figure out if it has spread and, if so, how far. This process is called staging. A cancer's stage describes how much cancer is in the body. It helps determine how serious the cancer is and how best to treat it. Doctors also use a cancer's stage when talking about survival statistics.
Liver cancer stages range from stage I (1) through IV (4). As a rule, the lower the number, the less the cancer has spread. A higher number, such as stage IV, means cancer has spread more. Although each person’s cancer experience is unique, cancers with similar stages tend to have a similar outlook and are often treated in much the same way.
There are several staging systems for liver cancer, and not all doctors use the same system. The staging system most often used in the United States for liver cancer is the AJCC (American Joint Committee on Cancer) TNM system, which is based on 3 key pieces of information:
The system described below is the most recent AJCC system, effective January 2018.
Numbers or letters after T, N, and M provide more details about each of these factors. Higher numbers mean the cancer is more advanced. Once a person’s T, N, and M categories have been determined, this information is combined in a process called stage grouping to assign an overall stage. For more information, see Cancer Staging.
Liver cancer is usually staged based on the results of the physical exam, biopsies, and imaging tests (ultrasound, CT or MRI scan, etc.), also called a clinical stage. If surgery is done, the pathologic stage (also called the surgical stage) is determined by examining tissue removed during an operation.
Cancer staging can be complex, so ask your doctor to explain it to you in a way you understand.
| AJCC Stage | Stage grouping | Stage description* |
|---|---|---|
| IA | T1a N0 M0 |
A single tumor 2 cm (4/5 inch) or smaller that hasn't grown into blood vessels (T1a). It has not spread to nearby lymph nodes (N0) or distant sites (M0). |
| IB | T1b N0 M0 |
A single tumor larger than 2cm (4/5 inch) that hasn't grown into blood vessels (T1b). The cancer has not spread to nearby lymph nodes (N0) or distant sites (M0). |
| II | T2 N0 M0 |
Either a single tumor larger than 2 cm (4/5 inch) that has grown into blood vessels OR more than one tumor but none larger than 5 cm (about 2 inches) across (T2). It has not spread to nearby lymph nodes (N0) or distant sites (M0). |
| IIIA | T3 N0 M0 |
More than one tumor, with at least one tumor larger than 5 cm across (T3). It has not spread to nearby lymph nodes (N0) or distant sites (M0). |
| IIIB | T4 N0 M0 |
At least one tumor (of any size) has grown into a major branch of a large liver vein (the portal or hepatic vein) (T4). It has not spread to nearby lymph nodes (N0) or distant sites (M0). |
| IVA | Any T N1 M0 |
A single tumor or multiple tumors of any size (Any T) has spread to nearby lymph nodes (N1) but not to distant sites (M0). |
| IVB | Any T Any N M1 |
A single tumor or multiple tumors of any size (any T). It might or might not have spread to nearby lymph nodes (any N). It has spread to distant organs such as the bones or lungs (M1). |
The following additional categories are not listed in the table above:
Factors that increase the risk of primary liver cancer include:
During a partial hepatectomy, your surgeon takes out part of your liver to completely remove (resect) a tumor. Surgeons commonly perform liver resection to remove cancers that have spread to the liver from other locations, including,
Metastasized colorectal cancers: Treatment for liver tumors and liver cancer will vary depending on the stage and sub-type of your disease and your circumstances and preferences. Both benign liver tumors and liver cancer may be treated through surgical and/or non-surgical treatment methods.
Surgery: If your liver tumor is small and your liver function is strong, you may receive surgery to remove the liver tumor and a small amount of healthy liver tissue surrounding it.
Cyberknife: A robotically controlled radiation delivery machine.
Liver transplant: In rare cases, if the tumor or cancer affects a significant portion of the liver and the entire liver needs to be removed, you may receive a liver transplant from a donor.
Chemoembolization: A procedure where cancer cells are targeted while healthy tissue is unharmed.
Radioembolization: Tiny cancer-fighting particles are delivered to the tumor through the bloodstream to kill cancer cells.
We also treat cancer that has metastasized to the liver. Metastases are cancer cells that have spread from an original or primary site to one or more locations or organs elsewhere in the body. The most common cancers that metastasize to the liver are lung, colon, pancreas, breast, stomach, ovarian, prostate, gallbladder and cervical.
Medical Gastroenterologist, Medical Oncologist
During a partial hepatectomy, your surgeon takes out part of your liver to completely remove (resect) a tumor. Surgeons commonly perform liver resection to remove cancers that have spread to the liver from other locations, including Metastasized colorectal cancers. Treatments for primary liver cancer depend on the extent (stage) of the disease as well as age, overall health and personal preferences.
Operations used to treat liver cancer include:
It may be 12 weeks before you return to all of your normal activities. Recovery from laparoscopic or robotic surgery is generally quicker. You'll recover at home for about two to four weeks, but it will take six to eight weeks before you can return to your normal activities.
Once you've been diagnosed with liver cancer, we want to try and avoid things that might further damage the liver. And these can include alcohol and smoking. Otherwise, we want to try and be as healthy as possible by maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise.
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+91 133456 7890Unfortunately, when liver cancer is advanced, treatment won't be able to cure it. It aims to control the cancer, relieve symptoms and give you a good quality of life.
Primary liver cancer is an uncommon but serious type of cancer that begins in the liver. This is a separate condition from secondary liver cancer, which occurs when cancer that first develops in another part of the body spreads to the liver.
Stage I/very early stage/stage 0: You have a single tumor in your liver that measures less than 2 centimetres (cm). Blood tests show your bilirubin level is normal. Stage II/early stage/stage A: You have a single tumor that measures 5 cm or less, or you have more than one tumor that measures less than 3 cm.
Liver cancer pain is commonly focused on the top right of the abdominal area, near the right shoulder blade. It can sometimes extend into the back and can also be felt in the lower right portion of the rib cage. The pain might be accompanied by swelling in the abdomen, legs, and ankles.
Although cystic tumors usually do not cause symptoms, it can be difficult to distinguish between a potentially cancerous tumor and one that is harmless or benign. A doctor may order a biopsy to determine if a cystic tumor might be potentially malignant.
Depending on the size and location of the mass and the general health of your liver, you may be a candidate for surgical removal of hemangiomas, adenomas, FNH, and hepatic cysts.
Hemangiomas are the most common form of benign liver tumors. They are a mass of abnormal blood vessels. Up to 5 per cent of adults in the United States may have small hemangiomas in their liver. Women are more likely than men to develop them.
Liver disease can be reversed in the early stages if you and your healthcare team are able to remove or manage the cause effectively. This depends on the cause and how treatable it is.
There are at-home liver panel tests that can determine liver function by screening for proteins and enzymes like albumin, globulin, ALP, ALT, and GGT. These tests use a finger-prick sample and include materials to collect and send your specimen to the lab. You can order a liver panel from home and get tested in a lab.
There are at-home liver panel tests that can determine liver function by screening for proteins and enzymes like albumin, globulin, ALP, ALT, and GGT. These tests use a finger-prick sample and include materials to collect and send your specimen to the lab. You can order a liver panel from home and get tested in a lab.
Noncancerous (benign) tumors are quite common and usually do not produce symptoms. Often, they are not diagnosed until an ultrasound, computed tomography scan, or magnetic resonance imaging scan is performed. There are several types of benign liver tumors, including the following: Hepatocellular adenoma.