Liver Cancer
Compassionate, Advanced Care for Liver Cancer
With a liver cancer diagnosis, you need expert care, and Mercy’s team of cancer specialists is ready with leading-edge technology. From diagnosis to treatment to recovery, our caring doctors listen to your concerns, answer every question and make it easy to understand Mercy’s most advanced and effective treatment options.
What Is Liver Cancer?
Liver cancer is a type of digestive/gastrointestinal cancer caused when cells in the liver grow out of control. Cancer can also spread from another organ to the liver, which is a more common occurrence. Liver cancer is often difficult to diagnose in earlier stages because liver cancer symptoms don’t usually appear until the cancer has increased in size or spread to other organs of the body.
The various types of liver cancer break down into two main categories: primary and secondary liver cancer.
Primary Liver Cancer
When cancer starts in your liver, it’s called primary liver cancer. Those with liver damage (cirrhosis) are at increased risk of developing primary liver cancers. There are various types of primary liver cancer:
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) – this is the most common kind of primary liver cancer. This can be one single tumor, or hepatoma, or multiple tumors in the liver. HCC may occur in patients with liver damage.
- Cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) - bile ducts are tubes that carry bile to the gallbladder. Cholangiocarcinoma is a rare form of cancer that starts in the bile ducts of the liver.
- Angiosarcoma & hemangiosarcoma - these rare, fast-growing forms of liver cancer begin to develop in the cells lining the blood vessels of the liver. People who have been exposed to vinyl chloride, arsenic or radium are more likely to develop these forms of liver cancer.
Secondary Liver Cancer
Secondary liver cancer, also known as metastatic liver cancer, occurs when cancer starts somewhere else in the body and spreads to the liver. Primary breast cancer, lung cancer and pancreatic cancer are common cancer types that can end up in the liver.
According to the American Cancer Society, the most common causes of liver cancer are chronic infections with hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV). However, there are a handful of other genetic and lifestyle risk factors that can determine someone’s likelihood of getting liver cancer.
Common Risk Factors
- Gender - men are more likely to develop liver cancer than women.
- Ethnicity - if you’re Asian American or Pacific Islander in the United States, you may be at greater risk of developing liver cancer at some point in your lifetime.
- Type 2 diabetes - type 2 diabetes has been linked to an increased risk of developing liver cancer. This risk may be more severe, since people with type 2 diabetes may have other co-occurring risk factors, such as obesity, heavy alcohol use or chronic viral hepatitis.
Genetic Risk Factors
- Inherited diseases - some inherited metabolic diseases can cause cirrhosis. People with inherited hemochromatosis, for example, absorb too much iron from their food. And if enough iron builds up in the liver, it can lead to cirrhosis and even liver cancer.
- Chronic viral hepatitis - globally, the most common risk factor for liver cancer is chronic infection with HBV or HCV. People infected with both have an even greater risk of developing liver cancer.
- Cirrhosis - cirrhosis is a disease where the cells in your liver become damaged and are replaced by scar tissue. In the United States, cases of cirrhosis have been commonly linked to alcohol abuse and chronic HBV or HCV infections. The majority of people who are diagnosed with liver cancer already have evidence of cirrhosis.
If you have cirrhosis or active HBV or HCV infection, talk to your Mercy provider about screening for liver cancer.
Lifestyle Risk Factors
- Alcohol - heavy use of alcohol is a leading cause of cirrhosis, which can lead to liver cancer in some instances.
- Obesity - overweight people are at greater risk of developing liver cancer. This is due to obesity being linked to fatty liver disease and cirrhosis.
Anabolic steroids - men who take anabolic steroids to increase their muscle mass can expect an increased risk of developing liver cancer.
Most people don’t experience obvious liver cancer symptoms in the early stages. Signs of liver cancer usually only appear after cancer has advanced or grown in size. If you experience one or more of these symptoms over a period of time, it’s best to talk to your Mercy doctor to see if a liver cancer screening is right for you.
As the cancerous tumor develops, signs of liver cancer may include:
- Unintended weight loss
- Sudden loss of appetite
- Feeling of fullness, even after a small meal
- Vomiting
- Pain in the abdomen or near the right shoulder blade
- Swelling or fluid in the abdomen
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
Mercy Offers Leading-Edge Treatments for Liver Cancer
Your treatment plan will depend on several factors, including the stage of cancer and whether it has spread beyond the liver. Your Mercy cancer team may recommend one or more of the following treatments:
Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery
In most cases, surgery is the best treatment option for liver cancer that hasn’t spread beyond the liver. Mercy’s gastrointestinal surgeons are skilled in using the latest surgical procedures and techniques, such as minimally invasive laparoscopic, robotic and endoscopic surgery, setting Mercy apart from many other centers for effective liver cancer surgery.
Your doctor may recommend a liver resection, removing the cancerous portion of the liver and leaving the healthy surrounding tissue intact. Another possible procedure, common among patients with cirrhosis, is a liver transplant, replacing the diseased liver with a healthy one. While Mercy doesn’t perform liver transplants, we’ll help coordinate care for all patients, as needed.
Ablation
This procedure uses heat or cold to destroy smaller cancer tumors without surgery.
Radiation and Interventional Options
Interventional radiology relies on imaging technology and minimally invasive techniques to treat diseases such as liver cancer. These highly effective treatments include:
- Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)
- CyberKnife radiation system
- Transarterial therapies like Y-90 and Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE)
- Proton Therapy – this new type of radiation treats tumors with high-powered energy from positively charged particles, or protons. It precisely targets tumors while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. This precision is particularly beneficial in treating the liver, a vital organ that can be challenging. Proton therapy helps lead to fewer side effects and improved outcomes.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses drugs administered orally or by infusion therapy to fight cancer cells throughout the body. This is often used after surgery to shrink and target cancer cells that may have been missed.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy treatment uses your immune system to fight cancer.
Targeted Drug Therapy
Targeted drug therapy uses drugs and other substances to precisely target cancerous cells and spare surrounding healthy cells.
Genomic Analysis and Testing
Mercy is a leader in precision medicine, which includes next-generation genomic testing. This testing can help your doctor choose more effective treatment options based on the specific genetic profile of your cancer.
Mercy also offers genetic testing, which looks for inherited gene changes, or mutations, that can increase your cancer risk. Learn how Mercy’s genetic testing can help you.
Trust Mercy With Your Cancer Journey
If you’ve been diagnosed with liver cancer, you can take comfort in knowing that Mercy’s cancer team offers more than just the latest medical treatments for all types and stages of liver cancer. Our compassionate caregivers will be by your side with the knowledge and expertise you need every step of the way. We can help you understand your condition and your treatment options, so you can make informed and thorough decisions about your care for the most positive possible outcome.
