Liver Cancer: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Liver Cancer?
A hepatologist (a liver doctor) or an oncologist (a cancer doctor) usually leads care for liver cancer. A surgeon may remove the tumor. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is liver cancer?
Liver cancer starts in the liver. The most common type is hepatocellular carcinoma, and most facts here describe it.
It is not the same as metastatic liver cancer. Metastatic liver cancer starts in another organ, such as the breast or colon, and spreads to the liver.
Symptoms
Symptoms of liver cancer may include any of the following:
- Belly pain or tenderness, especially in the upper right.
- Easy bruising or bleeding.
- A swollen belly from fluid buildup (ascites).
- Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice).
- Unexplained weight loss.
Causes and who gets it
This cancer occurs more often in men than in women. It is most often diagnosed in people age 50 or older.
Most often, it comes from long-term damage and scarring of the liver, called cirrhosis. Causes of cirrhosis include:
- Alcohol overuse.
- Autoimmune diseases of the liver.
- Hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus infection.
- Long-term liver swelling (chronic hepatitis).
- Too much iron in the body (hemochromatosis).
- MASH (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis), which is linked to obesity, diabetes, and other metabolic disorders.
People with hepatitis B or C are at high risk for liver cancer, even if they do not develop cirrhosis.
How doctors diagnose it
Your provider will do a physical exam and ask about your symptoms. The exam may show an enlarged, tender liver or other signs of cirrhosis. Tests may include:
- AFP tumor marker test. A higher AFP level in the blood may be a sign of liver cancer. Cirrhosis and hepatitis can also raise it. Sometimes it is normal even with liver cancer.
- Liver function tests. These blood tests measure substances the liver releases.
- CT scan or MRI. These make detailed pictures of the inside of the body.
- Ultrasound. Sound waves bounce off the liver to form a picture.
- Biopsy. A pathologist looks at removed cells or tissue under a microscope.
A biopsy is not always needed. Sometimes doctors can diagnose liver cancer from imaging tests such as CT scans and MRI.
Treatment
Treatment depends on how advanced the cancer is. It also depends on how well the liver works and on your general health. Options include:
- Surveillance. Doctors closely watch spots smaller than 1 centimeter found during screening. They treat only if tests show the spots are getting worse.
- Surgery. A partial hepatectomy removes the part of the liver with cancer and some healthy tissue. The rest of the liver takes over and may regrow.
- Liver transplant. The liver is replaced with a healthy donated liver. It may be done when the disease is only in the liver and a donor liver is found.
- Ablation. This destroys tumor tissue using heat from radio waves or microwaves, alcohol injection, or freezing.
- Embolization. This blocks blood flow to the tumor. It is used for people who cannot have surgery or ablation. Their tumor must not have spread outside the liver.
- Radiation therapy. A machine outside the body aims high-energy x-rays at the cancer.
- Targeted therapy and immunotherapy. These medicines are used for advanced liver cancer.
Targeted therapy uses medicines that attack specific cancer cells. Some come as pills. Immunotherapy uses the immune system to fight cancer. Newer immunotherapy medicines are now the most common treatment for advanced liver cancer.
If surgery cannot remove the cancer, or it has spread outside the liver, a long-term cure is usually not possible. Treatment then focuses on improving and extending the person's life.
When to see a doctor
Contact your provider if you have ongoing belly pain, especially with a history of liver disease.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have bleeding that will not stop, trouble breathing, chest pain, or fainting. Do the same for sudden confusion or severe belly pain.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. A direct primary care doctor can ask about your symptoms and risk factors, such as hepatitis, and arrange blood tests and ultrasounds.
Common questions
Can liver cancer be cured?
It depends on how advanced the cancer is. Surgery may be done if the tumor has not spread. If surgery cannot remove the cancer, or it has spread outside the liver, a long-term cure is usually not possible. Treatment then aims to improve and extend life.
What is the most common type of liver cancer?
Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common type. It starts in the liver. Metastatic liver cancer is different. It starts in another organ.
Can liver cancer be prevented?
Not always, but some steps may lower the risk. Preventing and treating viral hepatitis may help. Childhood vaccination against hepatitis B may reduce the risk for liver cancer in the future. Not drinking alcohol in excess and controlling obesity and diabetes may also help.
Are people at risk screened for liver cancer?
Some are. Some people at risk get regular blood tests and ultrasounds to see if tumors are developing. Screening is done for people who have hepatitis B or C or cirrhosis.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Liver cancer - hepatocellular carcinoma
- National Cancer Institute - Liver Cancer Diagnosis
- National Cancer Institute - Liver Cancer Treatment
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
