Liver Cancer

Liver cancer begins in the liver and is often referred to as "primary liver cancer." This is different from "metastatic liver cancer," which spreads to the liver from elsewhere in the body and is usually named for its source. Liver cancers typically develop in cells that filter toxins from the blood. Less than 30,000 new cases of liver cancer are diagnosed each year in the United States. Liver cancer survival rates vary depending on the stage of discovery and type of treatment. Liver cancer is most common in adults over the age of 60, and men are three times more susceptible than women. Advanced-stage liver cancer symptoms include loss of appetite; fatigue; nausea; pain, swelling, or a lump in the upper abdomen. The most common risk factors for liver cancer are hepatitis infection and heavy alcohol consumption. The stages of liver cancer range from I to IV, depending on tumor size and spread. Treatments include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or a combination of these.