The liver is the largest organ located in the abdomen and is a part of the digestive system. Among its many functions, the liver makes enzymes and bile that are essential for digestion. The liver also cleans the blood from toxins, metabolizing alcohol, drugs and chemicals. Liver cancer begins in the cells that line the liver, which are called hepatocytes. These cells can become damaged for a number of different reasons. When the cancer cells begin in duct cells from the gallbladder ducts that cross the liver, the cancer is called cholangiocarcinoma. Other rare types of cancer growing in the liver are lymphomas, sarcomas and neuroendocrine tumours. Many other cancers may spread to the liver, but they are metastatic cancer, not primary to the liver.
About this Cancer
In 2023, 4,700 Canadians were diagnosed with liver cancer. Of these, 3,500 Canadians were expected to die from the disease, although Canadian Cancer Society statistics note that this number may be an underestimate. This is because this excludes the number of deaths from cancer that has metastasized to the liver.
Symptoms of liver cancer can include:
- Reduced appetite
- Vomiting
- Unexplained weight loss
- Abdominal inflammation
- Jaundice
- White or chalky stools
- Fatigue
For more information, visit Mayo Clinic
Liver cancer risk factors may include:
- Prolonged infection with Hepatitis B or C virus
- Cirrhosis
- Diabetes
- Consuming alcohol excessively
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- Contact with aflatoxins
- Inherited liver conditions (for ex: hemochromatosis and Wilson’s disease)
For more info, visit the Mayo Clinic.
Liver cancer can be diagnosed by way of:
- Health history and physical exam
- Blood tests
- Imaging tests (MRI/CT scans)
- Ultrasound
- Biopsy
For more information, visit The Canadian Liver Foundation.
Treatment options for liver cancer may include:
- Surgery
- Ablation therapy
- Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE)
- Radiation therapy
- Targeted therapy
- Immunotherapy
For more information, visit the Canadian Cancer Society.
Stories from Survivors
We currently do not have any liver cancer stories at this time. If you know of any, please send them to us at info@survivornet.ca.
Resources
- August 8th, 2024 – Study: Transplant Possible After Immunotherapy for Advanced Liver Cancer Patients – Cedars-Sinai
- July 31st, 2024 – Liver cancer growth tied to tryptophan intake – UT Southwestern Medical Center
- July 9th, 2024 – Stem Cell-Derived Therapy Shows Promise Against Treatment-Resistant Liver Cancer – UC San Diego
- April 4th, 2024 – Personalized Vaccine for Liver Cancer Shows Promise in Clinical Trial – Johns Hopkins Medicine
Liver Cancer Groups
Liver Canada: “Liver Canada (LC), formerly known as the Canadian Liver Foundation, was first established in 1969 out of the passion and concern of a group of business leaders and doctors who believed that liver disease needed a champion. Since then, LC has relentlessly driven advancements in research, treatment, and support”. For more information, visit Liver Canada.