Liver - SSO Hospitals

Overview

What Is Liver Cancer?

Liver cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the liver grow uncontrollably and form a tumour. Primary liver cancer begins in the liver itself, whereas cancer that has spread to the liver from another organ is known as a liver metastasis or secondary liver cancer. These are different conditions and may require different treatment approaches.

Liver cancer requires careful assessment of both the tumour and the health of the liver itself. At SSO Hospitals, our hepatobiliary oncology specialists evaluate the type, number, size and location of liver tumours, liver function and overall health before recommending treatment. Depending on the individual case, treatment may include liver surgery, ablation, liver-directed therapies, systemic treatment or a combination of approaches.

How It Starts:

Liver Cell Changes: Long-term liver injury or other cellular changes can cause abnormal cells to develop.
Abnormal Cell Growth: Abnormal cells may multiply uncontrollably and form a tumour within the liver.
Tumour Growth: A tumour may remain confined to one area or involve multiple parts of the liver.
Blood Vessel or Nearby Structure Involvement: Some liver tumours can grow into nearby blood vessels or surrounding structures, affecting treatment options.
Spread: Liver cancer can spread to nearby lymph nodes or distant organs in advanced disease.

Symptoms

Liver Cancer Symptoms

Liver cancer may not cause noticeable symptoms in its early stages. When symptoms occur, they can vary depending on the size and location of the tumour and the underlying condition of the liver.

Clinical picture

Stages, types and how we diagnose

Liver cancer staging considers more than the size of the tumour. Doctors assess the number and location of tumours, involvement of major blood vessels, spread outside the liver, liver function and the patient's overall health. These factors help determine whether the cancer can be treated surgically, with liver-directed therapies, systemic treatment or a combination.

IStage

Stage I

A single tumour is present without significant involvement of major blood vessels or distant spread. Depending on liver function and other factors, potentially curative treatments may be considered.

Liver cancer staging is complex and differs from staging for many other cancers. Doctors may also use systems that incorporate liver function, performance status and tumour burden when deciding on treatment. Your specialist will explain the staging system applicable to your diagnosis.

Liver cancer includes different tumour types. Identifying the exact type is important because treatment and prognosis can vary considerably between primary liver cancers and metastatic disease.

01

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)

The most common primary liver cancer. It develops from hepatocytes, the main cells of the liver.

02

Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

A primary liver cancer that begins in the bile ducts located within the liver.

03

Other Rare Primary Liver Tumours

Less common tumours can also arise in the liver. Accurate imaging and pathology are important when the diagnosis is uncertain.

04

Liver Metastases

Cancer that has spread to the liver from another organ, such as the colon, rectum, breast, pancreas or lung. This is not considered primary liver cancer and treatment is planned according to the original cancer and extent of spread.

How Is Liver Cancer Diagnosed?

Medical History & Clinical Examination

Your doctor reviews symptoms, previous liver conditions, hepatitis history, alcohol exposure, medications and other relevant medical factors.

Liver Function Blood Tests

Blood tests can assess how well the liver is functioning and help determine treatment suitability.

Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP)

AFP may be measured as a tumour marker in people being evaluated for liver cancer, although it cannot by itself confirm or exclude the diagnosis.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound may identify a liver lesion and is commonly used in the evaluation and surveillance of people at increased risk.

Multiphasic CT or MRI

Contrast-enhanced, multiphasic CT or MRI can provide detailed information about the number, size, location and vascular characteristics of liver lesions.

Biopsy

When imaging findings are not conclusive or another tumour type is suspected, a tissue sample may be obtained for pathological examination.

Staging Investigations

Additional imaging may be recommended to determine whether the cancer has spread outside the liver.

The tests required depend on the patient's symptoms, liver condition, imaging findings and suspected cancer type. Your specialist will recommend the appropriate diagnostic pathway.

Risk & treatment

Liver Cancer Causes and Risk Factors

Liver cancer does not have one single cause. Long-term injury to the liver can lead to scarring and cellular changes that increase the risk of developing certain primary liver cancers.

01

Chronic Hepatitis B

Long-term hepatitis B infection increases the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma, including in some people without established cirrhosis.

02

Chronic Hepatitis C

Long-standing hepatitis C infection can cause liver inflammation and scarring and increase the risk of liver cancer.

03

Cirrhosis: Severe chronic scarring of the liver is a major risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma.

04

Alcohol-Related Liver Disease

Long-term heavy alcohol use can damage the liver, potentially leading to cirrhosis and increased cancer risk.

05

Metabolic Liver Disease

Conditions associated with obesity, diabetes and metabolic dysfunction can contribute to fatty liver disease and, in some patients, increased liver cancer risk.

06

Aflatoxin Exposure

Exposure to aflatoxins, toxins produced by certain moulds that can contaminate food, is associated with increased risk of liver cancer.

07

Certain Inherited or Metabolic Conditions

Conditions such as hereditary haemochromatosis and other disorders affecting the liver can increase risk.

Liver Cancer Treatment

Liver cancer treatment depends on the tumour type, number and location of tumours, tumour size, blood-vessel involvement, liver function, presence of cirrhosis, whether the cancer has spread and the patient's overall health. Treatment may involve surgery, ablation, liver-directed therapy, systemic therapy or a combination of approaches.

Liver Cancer Treatment

01

Liver Cancer Surgery

Partial Hepatectomy: Selected patients with localised liver cancer may be candidates for partial hepatectomy, in which the portion of the liver containing the tumour is surgically removed while preserving adequate functioning liver tissue. Surgical planning depends on tumour location, liver function, remaining liver volume and the relationship of the tumour to major blood vessels and bile ducts.

02

Liver Transplantation

Liver transplantation may be considered for carefully selected patients with hepatocellular carcinoma when the cancer and underlying liver disease meet appropriate criteria. Transplantation replaces the diseased liver and can address both the tumour and severe underlying liver dysfunction. Eligibility is determined through detailed specialist assessment.

03

Ablation and Liver-Directed Treatments

For selected patients, local treatments can target liver tumours without removing the entire tumour-bearing part of the liver. These may include radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or microwave ablation. Transarterial treatments such as transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE) may also be considered for appropriate patients. The choice depends on tumour size, number, location, liver function and overall disease status.

04

Systemic Therapy

Advanced or unresectable liver cancers may require medicines that work throughout the body. Depending on the cancer type and individual clinical factors, treatment may include targeted therapies or immunotherapy. The choice of systemic therapy is based on the type and extent of cancer, liver function, overall health and previous treatments.

No single treatment is suitable for every liver cancer patient. Treatment may involve one approach or a combination of therapies, and the treatment plan can change depending on response to therapy and disease progression.

Why SSO?

Why Choose SSO Hospitals for Liver Cancer Treatment?

Liver cancer treatment requires expertise in both the tumour and the underlying condition of the liver. At SSO Hospitals, our hepatobiliary oncology specialists focus on complex liver and gastrointestinal cancers and develop treatment plans around the individual patient.

Hepatobiliary Oncology Expertise: Our specialists focus on cancers involving the liver, pancreas, bile ducts and related abdominal organs.
Specialised Liver Surgery: Appropriate patients may be considered for liver resection and other complex hepatobiliary procedures based on tumour location and liver function.
Organ-Preserving Approach: Treatment planning considers how much healthy liver can safely be preserved while achieving appropriate cancer treatment.
Multidisciplinary Planning: Complex cases may involve collaboration between surgical oncology, medical oncology, radiology, pathology, interventional radiology, anaesthesia and other specialists.
Liver-Directed Treatment: Selected patients may be evaluated for ablation and other liver-directed therapies in addition to surgery and systemic treatment.
Personalised Follow-Up: Treatment and follow-up are planned according to the cancer, liver function, response to treatment and individual clinical needs.

Every liver tumour is different. Our specialists review imaging, pathology, liver function and the patient's overall health before recommending the appropriate treatment approach.

Meet all our doctors

A doctor visiting a patient recovering with family at bedside

Our specialists

Consult Our Liver Cancer Specialists

Connect with our hepatobiliary and gastrointestinal oncology specialists for evaluation, treatment planning and surgical opinions for liver cancer and liver tumours.

21+ Yrs

Dr. Sanket Mehta

Gastrointestinal Oncology · Gynaecological Oncology · Cytoreductive Surgery · HIPEC · PIPAC

SSO Cancer Hospital Ghatkopar West, Charni Road & SRCC

Liver Cancer: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

What Is Liver Cancer?

Liver Cancer Symptoms

Stages, types and how we diagnose

Stage I

Stage II

Stage III

Stage IV

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)

Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

Other Rare Primary Liver Tumours

Liver Metastases

Medical History & Clinical Examination

Liver Function Blood Tests

Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP)

Ultrasound

Multiphasic CT or MRI

Biopsy

Staging Investigations

Liver Cancer Causes and Risk Factors

Chronic Hepatitis B

Chronic Hepatitis C

Cirrhosis: Severe chronic scarring of the liver is a major risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Alcohol-Related Liver Disease

Metabolic Liver Disease

Aflatoxin Exposure

Certain Inherited or Metabolic Conditions

Liver Cancer Treatment

Liver Cancer Surgery

Liver Transplantation

Ablation and Liver-Directed Treatments

Systemic Therapy

Why Choose SSO Hospitals for Liver Cancer Treatment?

Consult Our Liver Cancer Specialists

Frequently asked questions

What our patients say about us

Care, close to home

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