天美传媒

At Dana-Farber Brigham 天美传媒, patients with liver cancer receive care from some of the world’s leading experts in the field. Our multidisciplinary team—including specialists in liver surgery, medical oncology, radiology, radiation therapy, pathology, and supportive care—works closely to develop personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s unique needs. We treat the whole person, not just the disease, taking into account overall health, lifestyle, and individual goals. This team-based approach helps ensure that each patient receives timely, effective care focused on both survival and quality of life.

Our liver cancer surgeons at Brigham and Women’s Hospital are nationally recognized for their expertise and use of advanced surgical techniques, including minimally invasive and robotic procedures when appropriate. They are also involved in research aimed at improving how liver cancer is diagnosed and treated. Throughout the journey, our team offers expert guidance, clear communication, and compassionate support to help patients and families navigate care with confidence.

What Is Liver Cancer?

Liver cancer is a serious condition where abnormal, cancerous cells grow in the liver. The liver is a large organ located in the upper right part of the abdomen, just below the diaphragm. It is essential for survival and performs many important functions.

Most of the liver is made up of cells called hepatocytes, but it also includes other types of cells, such as those in the blood vessels and the bile ducts. Bile ducts are small tubes that carry bile—a fluid that helps with digestion—to the gallbladder or directly to the intestines.

The liver plays many important roles in the body, including:

• Breaking down and storing nutrients from food
• Making proteins that help blood clot after an injury
• Producing bile to help digest fats
• Filtering out alcohol, drugs, and harmful substances from the blood

Because the liver contains different types of cells, several types of tumors can develop. Some are non-cancerous (benign), while others are cancerous (malignant). Each type has its own causes, treatments, and outlook.

Types of Liver Cancer

Liver cancer is grouped into two main types:

• Primary liver cancer, which starts in the liver itself.
• Secondary liver cancer, which begins in another part of the body and spreads to the liver.

This section covers primary liver cancer, which develops from different types of cells in the liver. Because the liver is made up of several kinds of cells, the type of cancer depends on where it begins.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common form of liver cancer. It begins in the liver’s main cells, called hepatocytes, and makes up about 85% to 90% of all primary liver cancer cases.

HCC usually occurs in people who already have serious liver damage, such as:

• , which is long-term scarring of the liver
• B or C infections
• MASLD (), a liver condition that can sometimes lead to cirrhosis

HCC can grow in different patterns. Some tumors begin as a single lump that gets bigger over time. In other cases—especially in people with cirrhosis—many small cancer spots develop throughout the liver.

Even though HCC can be aggressive, catching it early makes it more treatable. Surgery or a liver transplant may be possible in the early stages. Because of the risks, people with cirrhosis or MASLD are often screened regularly for this type of cancer.

Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma (IHC)

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is a type of bile duct cancer that starts inside the liver. It makes up around 10% to 20% of primary liver cancer cases.

The bile ducts are thin tubes that carry bile, a fluid made by the liver that helps break down fats in food. These ducts connect the liver to the gallbladder and small intestine. This cancer usually affects adults over 50 and is often diagnosed after it has spread beyond the bile ducts, which can make it harder to treat.

When cancer starts in the parts of the bile ducts located inside the liver, it’s called intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. There are also two other types of bile duct cancer that begin outside the liver:

• Perihilar cholangiocarcinoma starts just outside the liver in the area where small bile ducts from inside the liver join together. This spot is called the hilum, and this is the most common type of bile duct cancer.
• Distal cholangiocarcinoma begins farther down the bile duct, near the small intestine.

Doctors group perihilar and distal cholangiocarcinomas as extrahepatic bile duct cancers because they develop outside the liver (“extra-hepatic”), unlike intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, which begins inside the liver.

Hepatic Angiosarcoma

Hepatic angiosarcoma is a very rare form of liver cancer, making up only about 1% of primary liver cancer cases. It starts in the cells that line the blood vessels of the liver.

This type of cancer can grow quickly and is often found in later stages. In some cases, it may also affect other organs, not just the liver.