The liver is the largest organ in the body.  It carries out many important functions, such as:

• Producing the proteins that enable blood to clot;
• Storing vitamins;
• Regulating blood sugar levels;
• Breaking down carbohydrates to be used for energy;
• Helping to remove toxic substances (eg alcohol) from the body.

The liver has a unique ability to heal itself in most instances and cancer of the liver is rare in the UK.There are two types of liver cancer:

• Primary - cancer that originates in the liver itself;
• Secondary or metastic: - cancer that has spread to the liver from another part of the body.

The most common type of primary liver cancer is called a hepatoma or hepacellular carcinoma; where a growth develops in the main cells of the liver.

Causes

Hepatomas are usually closely linked to cirrhosis of the liver due to long-term alcohol misuse. Because the liver is important in removing toxic substances from the body, heavy drinking means it has to work very hard and will be damaged over time.

Recurring infection of hepatitis C also increase the risk of developing a hepatoma.

Although it is extremely rare, young adults and adolescents can be diagnosed with fibrolamellar carcinoma, which is a type of hepatoma that has no known cause.

Treatment

Primary liver cancer is often well advance by the time it is diagnosed, making effective treatment very difficult.  If the growth is small and in a position where it can be operated on, surgery may be carried out to remove it.  If the cancer has not spread and the entire tumour can be removed, surgery is extremely effective.

Occasionally other treatments may be appropriate such as chemotherapy and ablation (a treatment where alcohol injected into the growth).

Secondary, or metastic liver cancer is also difficult to treat.  If surgery is not an option because the growth is too large or in a dangerous position, anticancer drugs (chemotherapy) may be used to slow the progress of the cancer.  Pain can often be reduced with radiation therapy.