Alternative Names
Primary liver cell carcinoma; Tumor – liver; Liver cancer; Cancer – liver
Definition of Hepatocellular carcinoma
Hepatocellular carcinoma is cancer of the liver.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Hepatocellular carcinoma accounts for most liver cancers. This type of cancer occurs more often in men than women. It is usually seen in people ages 50 – 60.
Signs and tests
Physical examination may show an enlarged, tender liver.
Treatment
Aggressive surgery or a liver transplant can successfully treat small or slow-growing tumors if they are diagnosed early. However, few patients are diagnosed early.
Expectations (prognosis)
The usual outcome is poor, because only 10 – 20% of hepatocellular carcinomas can be removed completely using surgery.
Review
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. – 8/9/2009
