Liver cancer

There are 2 types of liver cancer. Primary liver cancer is when abnormal cells in the liver grow in an uncontrolled way. Secondary liver cancer starts in another part of the body and spreads to the liver (metastatic cancer). In Aotearoa New Zealand, secondary liver cancer is more common than primary liver cancer.

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Causes of liver cancer

Liver cancers are much more common in men than in women. The risk of developing liver cancer increases as you get older.

Other risk factors for primary liver cancer include:

  • having hepatitis B or hepatitis C — this can lead to long-term (chronic) infection which can cause liver cancer
  • drinking a lot of alcohol
  • having non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
  • being a very unhealthy weight
  • rare genetic disorders including haemochromatosis and alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency
  • having type 2 diabetes
  • smoking tobacco.

Symptoms of liver cancer

Liver cancer may not cause symptoms early on. They are more likely to appear as the cancer grows. Symptoms include:

  • pain in the tummy
  • losing weight without trying
  • a swollen or bloated tummy
  • loss of appetite
  • feeling sick (nausea)
  • feeling tired and weak
  • yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice).

Diagnosing liver cancer

Your healthcare provider will check your tummy, skin and eyes for signs of yellowing (jaundice). They will also do a blood test to check your liver function.

If they suspect liver cancer they will refer you for other tests, such as:

  • an ultrasound scan
  • a CT or MRI scan
  • a liver biopsy, where a small amount of your liver tissue is removed to be checked for cancer.

Treating liver cancer

If you are found to have liver cancer you will be referred to a specialist. A team of health professionals will look after your care.

Treatment for liver cancer depends on:

  • the size of the cancer
  • how far it has spread within the liver and the body
  • the severity of your symptoms
  • your general health.

Treatment may include:

  • surgery
  • chemotherapy
  • radiotherapy.

Cancer treatments

Cancer support

Once someone has been diagnosed with cancer, we know there are some difficult days ahead. No matter where you are on the cancer pathway, there is always someone to connect with for support.

There are local services available to help make things easier for you and your whānau.

Support we offer — Cancer Society

Look good feel better

There are a number of benefits of belonging to a support group.

Health-based support groups