Does immunotherapy treat liver cancer?

Immunotherapy helps the immune system identify and attack cancer cells. For liver cancer, treatment planning also has to account for how much healthy liver remains and whether there is underlying liver disease. Scans, biopsy or other tumour information, liver blood tests, symptoms and earlier treatment all help the team choose an approach.

It may be used as a systemic treatment when cancer cannot be treated fully with a local procedure, or when disease has returned or spread. It may be combined with another medicine. The aim can be to slow growth, reduce disease or relieve cancer-related problems; the expected benefit differs between people.

Tell your oncology team about hepatitis, cirrhosis, alcohol use, previous liver treatment and every medicine or supplement you take. Ask what the treatment is intended to achieve and how liver function will be followed. Discuss nutrition, alcohol and infection precautions using advice tailored to you. Read about [Liver Cancer](/conditions/liver-cancer/) and [Immunotherapy](/treatments/systemic-therapy/immunotherapy/).

Contact the care team about increasing abdominal swelling, yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, unusual bleeding, persistent vomiting, severe diarrhoea, a new rash, fever or marked drowsiness. These symptoms can have several causes, including liver problems or immune-related inflammation. Get urgent help for confusion, vomiting blood, severe breathlessness, fainting or rapidly worsening illness.

How well is my liver working, and how does that affect treatment? Is immunotherapy being combined with another medicine or procedure? Which tests will track liver function and tumour response? Which symptoms need same-day advice? What is the plan if side effects or cancer growth require a change?