Liver Cancer

Liver Cancer: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Future Outlook.: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Future Outlook.

Disclaimer:
This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Content is sourced from third parties, and we do not guarantee accuracy or accept any liability for its use. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical guidance.

What is Liver Cancer?

Liver cancer includes hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, 80%, from hepatocytes) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (15%). It’s often secondary from other cancers. In 2025, ~42,810 US cases, more in men, linked to cirrhosis.

Symptoms

Symptoms include abdominal pain/swelling, jaundice, weight loss, fatigue, nausea, pale stools, dark urine, fever. Early asymptomatic. In 2025, screening in high-risk detects early.

Causes

Causes include chronic hepatitis B/C, cirrhosis, NAFLD, alcohol, aflatoxins, diabetes. Mutations in TP53, CTNNB1. In 2025, microbiome influences HCC.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis uses ultrasound (screening), CT/MRI for confirmation, AFP blood test, biopsy. Staging BCLC. In 2025, AI ultrasound improves sensitivity.

Treatment

Early: surgery/transplant, ablation, embolization. Advanced: chemo (sorafenib, lenvatinib), immunotherapy (atezolizumab + bevacizumab). In 2025, combinations extend survival.

Future Outlook

In 2025, 5-year survival is 20%, 35% localised. Immunotherapy raises advanced to 30%. By 2030, vaccines/gene therapy could reach 40%.

Sources

The information for liver cancer is sourced from Mayo Clinic’s “Liver cancer – Symptoms and causes” for causes; Cleveland Clinic’s “Liver Cancer: Symptoms, Signs, Causes & Treatment” for treatment; Medical News Today’s “Liver cancer: Causes, diagnosis, treatment, and outlook” for outlook; Drugs.com’s “Liver cancer Guide: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options” for options; Cancer Australia’s “Liver cancer | Causes, Symptoms & Treatments” for treatments; Mayo Clinic’s “Liver cancer – Diagnosis and treatment” for diagnosis; Cancer Therapy Advisor’s “Liver Cancer – Diagnosis & Disease Information” for information; OHSU’s “About Liver Cancer: Survival Rate, Treatment and More” for rate; Cancer Research Institute’s “5 Things You Need to Know About Liver Cancer” for facts; NCI’s “Primary Liver Cancer Treatment” for treatment.