Liver Week – Liver Cancer

Did you know rates of liver cancer incidence have more than tripled since 1980? During this time, death rates have more than doubled.

The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2020:

– About 42,810 new cases of primary liver cancer and intrahepatic bile duct cancer will be diagnosed.

– About 30,160 people will die of these cancers.

While many other types of cancers have become very treatable and curable, liver cancer continues to claim the lives of thousands of Americans every year. The most reliable cure for liver cancer is to completely surgically remove the tumor—either by removing part of the liver through resection or removing the entire liver in a liver transplant. Primary liver cancer continues to be a leading cause for liver transplants in our country, often caused by NAFLD/NASH*, hepatitis C, or alcohol related liver disease. Sadly, many people cannot be considered for a liver resection or liver transplant.

Here at the American Liver Foundation, we know how hard it is to receive a diagnosis of liver cancer. We are dedicated to ensuring people at risk for liver cancer are screened properly, assisting patients navigating treatment options, transplant, or clinical trains, and to funding essential liver cancer research.

*NAFLD is newly renamed metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease or MASLD

*NASH has been newly renamed metabolic dysfunction associated steatohepatitis or MASH

Last updated on January 18th, 2024 at 09:26 am