How is liver cancer treated?

The team reviews scans, the tumour's position and size, whether it has spread, and how well the liver is working. A liver resection removes the tumour with a margin of nearby liver when enough healthy liver can remain. Tumour ablation destroys selected tumours with heat or another local technique, often through a probe. These approaches are considered differently depending on access to the tumour and the condition of the liver.

Liver cirrhosis and long-term hepatitis B or hepatitis C infection can affect liver function and treatment planning. Your team may manage these conditions alongside cancer care. Jaundice, abdominal swelling, or persistent abdominal pain should be assessed because they can have several causes.

Bring a complete list of medicines, supplements, and previous liver problems to the specialist visit. Ask what the scans show, whether the tumour can be removed or ablated, and how liver function will be monitored. Do not stop prescribed medicines without advice. Report increasing abdominal swelling, yellowing of the skin or eyes, vomiting, or worsening pain promptly.

Seek urgent medical help for vomiting blood, black stools, severe or rapidly worsening abdominal pain, confusion, fainting, or sudden yellowing with marked illness. Contact your care team promptly if abdominal swelling increases quickly or you cannot keep fluids down. These symptoms need assessment; they do not by themselves identify liver cancer.

How well is my liver working? Is resection or ablation technically suitable? What part of the liver would be treated? How will hepatitis or cirrhosis affect the plan? What symptoms after treatment should trigger an urgent call?