Liver Cancer

Liver cancer, also known as hepatic cancer, primary hepatic cancer, or primary hepatic malignancy, is cancer that starts in the liver. Liver cancer can be primary in which the cancer starts in the liver, or it can be liver metastasis, or secondary, in which the cancer spreads from elsewhere in the body to the liver. Liver metastasis is the more common of the two liver cancers. According to the recent analysis, it is shown that metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease, which was previously known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and is now considered as one of the leading causes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) globally, especially in developed nations, due to the increasing prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Primary liver cancer is globally the sixth-most frequent cancer and the fourth-leading cause of death from cancer. In 2018, it occurred in 866,136 people and resulted in 758,725 deaths globally. Higher rates of liver cancer occur where hepatitis B and C are common, including Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Males are more often affected with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) than females. Diagnosis is most frequent among those 65 to 74 years old. The leading cause of liver cancer is cirrhosis due to hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or alcohol. Other causes include aflatoxin, Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD; formerly NAFLD) and liver flukes. The most common types are HCC, which makes up 80% of cases and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. The diagnosis may be supported by blood tests and medical imaging, with confirmation by tissue biopsy. Given that there are many different causes of liver cancer, there are many approaches to liver cancer prevention. These efforts include immunization against hepatitis B, hepatitis B treatment, hepatitis C treatment, decreasing alcohol use, decreasing exposure to aflatoxin in agriculture, and management of obesity and diabetes. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) linked to MASLD can develop even in the absence of cirrhosis, and it occurs more often than virus-induced liver cancers, although cirrhosis still stands as a predominant risk factor overall. Screening is recommended in those with chronic liver disease. For example, it is recommended that people with chronic liver disease who are at risk for hepatocellular carcinoma be screened every 6 months using ultrasound imaging. As of 2026, clinical guidelines increasingly recommend risk-stratified surveillance for liver disease, incorporating factors such as etiology, stage of fibrosis, age, and comorbidities when determining surveillance strategies. Because liver cancer is an umbrella term for many types of cancer, the signs and symptoms depend on what type of cancer is present. Symptoms can be vague and broad. Cholangiocarcinoma is associated with sweating, jaundice, abdominal pain, weight loss, and liver enlargement. Hepatocellular carcinoma is associated with abdominal mass, abdominal pain, vomiting, anemia, back pain, jaundice, itching, weight loss and fever. Treatment options may include surgery, targeted therapy and radiation therapy. In certain cases, ablation therapy, embolization therapy or liver transplantation may be used.