Liver Cancer

Liver cancer is cancer that begins in the cells of your liver. While several types of cancer can form in the liver, the most common type of liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma, or HCC, which begins in the main type of liver cells (hepatocytes). Liver cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Over the last 30 years, rates of liver cancer have tripled in the United States. While most other common cancers have seen improved survival rates during this time period, liver cancer death rates have doubled.

It is very rare to develop HCC without first having cirrhosis. Because of this, when someone has been diagnosed with advanced fibrosis (F3) or cirrhosis they should receive regular surveillance for liver cancer. Finding and diagnosing liver cancer as soon as possible is essential. Early detection offers more potentially curative options, like resection (where the cancer and surrounding liver tissue is removed) and transplant.

Learn more in our liver cancer resource center.

Last updated on September 6th, 2023 at 04:32 pm