Primary liver cancer starts from cells in the liver. The two most common forms of primary liver cancer are:

• Hepatoma, which is often associated with other liver diseases such as cirrhosis and hepatitis B or C infections

• Cholangiocarcinoma—a rare tumor which develops in bile duct cells

Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment


Symptoms
Symptoms of liver cancer include:

• Pain or discomfort on the right side, especially in the upper belly or around the right shoulder blade

• A hard lump on the right side just below the rib cage

• Unexplained weight loss

• Loss of appetite

• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)

• General deterioration of health

Diagnosing primary liver cancer
We will ask about your medical history and symptoms. You will have a physical exam, and you may have the following tests:

• Blood tests, including tests that check how well the liver is working

• Ultrasound or CT scan of the liver

• Laparoscopy,a surgical procedure to look at the organs inside the belly

• Liver biopsy, the removal of cells or tissues for testing, which may be done during laparoscopy or with a needle inserted through your skin and into the liver

Treating primary liver cancer
The treatment depends on how much the cancer has grown or spread. Surgical removal of the tumor is one way to cure liver cancer. Addtional treatments may include:

• Surgery to remove part or all of the tumor, which may mean that part of the liver is also removed

• Chemotherapy, which uses anticancer drugs to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors

• High-energy radio waves (radio frequency ablation)

• Freezing with a cold probe

• Injecting alcohol or drugs into the tumor to destroy the tumor

• Liver transplantation if the tumor is a specific tumor type and is very small.