Clinical trials play an important role in improving cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment. For some patients, taking part may offer access to new therapies that are not yet widely available. Your care team can help determine whether a clinical trial may be an option and explain what participation involves.
What is Liver Cancer?
Liver cancer occurs when cells in the liver grow abnormally and form a tumor.
There are two main types:
- Primary liver cancer, which starts in the liver
- Metastatic liver cancer, which begins in another part of the body and spreads to the liver
Because of its size and the amount of blood that flows through it, the liver is one of the most common places for cancer to spread.
Certain conditions, such as long-term hepatitis and cirrhosis, can increase risk. Still, liver cancer can develop in a range of situations, and early evaluation is important.
Whether you’re concerned about symptoms, risk factors or a recent diagnosis, our specialists offer personalized guidance and supportive care.
Liver Cancer Symptoms
Liver cancer symptoms can be subtle at first and are often mistaken for other conditions.
Symptoms may include:
- Unexplained weight loss
- Loss of appetite or feeling full quickly
- Swelling or a lump in the upper abdomen
- Ongoing stomach pain or discomfort
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
- Worsening symptoms if you have chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis
If you’re experiencing persistent or worsening symptoms, it’s important to speak with a doctor promptly.
How Liver Cancer is Diagnosed
Your care team will evaluate your symptoms, medical history and overall health to determine next steps.
A combination of tests is used to detect tumors, assess liver function and guide treatment planning.
Imaging
Imaging helps identify the size, number and location of tumors. Tests may include:
- Ultrasound
- CT (computed tomography) scan
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
Blood Tests
Blood tests evaluate how well your liver is functioning and may detect tumor markers associated with liver cancer.
Biopsy
In some cases, a biopsy is needed to confirm a diagnosis. This involves removing a small tissue sample and examining it under a microscope.
Liver Cancer Treatment Options
Treatment depends on the type of liver cancer, how far it has spread, your overall health and your personal goals.
At LifeBridge Health, your care is guided by a multidisciplinary team—including surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and other specialists—who collaborate to develop a personalized treatment plan.
This plan may include one or more of the following options:
Surgery
Surgery may be recommended when cancer is confined to the liver. This typically involves removing the portion of the liver that contains the tumor (liver resection).
Interventional Radiology Treatments
These minimally invasive procedures use imaging to treat tumors directly. Options include:
- Embolization: Blocks blood flow to the tumor to slow or stop its growth
- Targeted drug delivery: Delivers medication directly to blood vessels feeding the tumor
- Ablation: Uses heat or other techniques to destroy cancer cells through a needle placed into the tumor
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells or slow their growth. It is typically given through an IV.
For some patients with colorectal cancer that has spread to the liver, hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) pump therapy may be an option. This approach delivers chemotherapy directly into the artery supplying the liver, allowing higher doses to reach the tumor while limiting exposure to the rest of the body.
LifeBridge Health partners with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Johns Hopkins to provide this treatment. The pump is surgically placed at those centers, with ongoing therapy provided locally.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy helps the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. It may be recommended for certain types of liver cancer.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to target cancer cells. While less commonly used for liver cancer, it may be part of treatment in specific cases or combined with other therapies.
Clinical Trials
Supportive Services
When you receive cancer care at LifeBridge Health, you have access to supportive services like counseling, integrative therapies and support groups. These resources are designed to help patients care for their physical and emotional well‑being throughout treatment and beyond.