Malignant liver tumors

Hepatocellular carcinoma

Cancer that begins in the cells of the liver is called primary liver cancer. The main type of primary liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma. It usually arises in the background of a shrunken liver (cirrhosis). It can be localized or metastatic (which has already spread). Sometimes, it can be multicentric (originate at more than one place). Treatment is based on the stage of the disease, extent of the liver that needs to be removed, liver function and general condition of the patient. Surgical removal of the tumor along with a healthy margin is called hepatectomy. Those fit into criteria (Milan criteria) are eligible for liver transplantation. Those who are not suitable for surgery can be treated with nonsurgical methods like percutaneous radiofrequency ablation or ethanol injection, trans arterial chemoembolization, trans arterial radioembolization or with drugs such as Sorafenib.

Liver metastasis

The liver is susceptible to deposition of cancerous cells traveling in the bloodstreams from all over the body, especially from the gastrointestinal tract. When these cancerous cells affect the liver, it is termed as secondary or metastatic cancer. Generally, metastatic disease is considered inoperable and treated with chemotherapy. But certain diseases like colorectal cancers and neuroendocrine tumors with liver metastasis, surgical resection is an option.