Liver cancer is one of the most common malignancies worldwide, affecting nearly one million individuals. The most common cancer that begins in the liver is called hepatocellular carcinoma; this is associated with several chronic liver diseases, including alcoholic cirrhosis, chronic Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C. Certain metabolic conditions are also associated with HCC, including hemochromatosis, autoimmune hepatitis, and PBC.

Symptoms

• Abdominal pain
• Abdominal mass
• Jaundice
• Nausea
• Other indications of liver dysfunction

Physicians at MedStar Health may use a series of physical, laboratory, and imaging tests to uncover liver cancer, but the final diagnosis is often confirmed via needle biopsy, which is the removal and examination of a small piece of the suspected tumor.

Treatment

Liver tumors may be benign or malignant, but most require surgical removal. MedStar Health physicians work closely with patients to develop the best treatment plan for their specific case, which may include the following

• Surgery
• Resection: Portions of the liver are surgically removed (The liver quickly regenerates, or grows back, to normal size, after this procedure.). This can also be performed laparoscopically
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Liver transplant