Liver Cancer (HCC, Hepatocellular carcinoma)

Liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) is a cancer arising from the liver. It is also known as primary liver cancer or hepatoma. The majority of primary liver cancers (over 90 to 95%) arises from liver cells, which make up 80% of liver tissue, and is called hepatocellular cancer or carcinoma.

Metastatic liver disease (cancer) or secondary liver cancer, is cancer that has spread to the liver, having originated in other organs such as the colon, stomach, pancreas, breast, and lung. Thus, the term liver cancer actually can refer to either metastatic liver cancer or hepatocellular cancer.

Abdominal pain is the most common symptom of liver cancer and usually signifies a very large tumor or widespread involvement of the liver. Additionally, unexplained weight loss or unexplained fevers are warning signs of liver cancer in patients with cirrhosis. The sudden appearance of abdominal fluid and swelling and jaundice (yellow color of the skin), may suggest the possibility of liver cancer. On physical examination, an enlarged, sometimes tender, liver is the most common finding.

When your doctor finds a reason to suspect cancer in the liver, you will be advised to undergo a series of diagnostic tests. Some of these tests are noninvasive and require a brief visit to a clinic or lab. Others are more involved and may require an overnight stay in a hospital.