Liver Cancer

Overview

Mayo Clinic is a leading medical center for the diagnosis and treatment of liver and bile duct (hepatobiliary) cancers. It is also the principal research and referral center in the United States for primary sclerosing cholangitis, a disorder that can lead to bile duct cancer in some people.

Mayo Clinic is one of only 40 U.S. medical institutions recognized as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute. This designation is given to centers demonstrating excellence in cancer education, research and treatment. People with liver cancer benefit from treatment at such institutions, which see a large number of patients and have special expertise in cancer care.

At the Mayo Clinic Hepatobiliary Clinics in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota, integrated teams of specialists, including surgeons, gastroenterologists, interventional and diagnostic radiologists, medical and radiation oncologists, and palliative care providers, work together to meet the complex needs of liver cancer patients and their families. This collaborative approach is a hallmark of Mayo Clinic and ensures that each patient receives the most supportive, comprehensive and innovative care possible.

Diagnosis

When liver cancer is diagnosed early, patients have more therapeutic options and their treatment is often more effective. Mayo Clinic uses advanced screening and diagnostic technologies to evaluate liver and bile duct cancers, including biomarker tests, high-resolution CT scans, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). Read more about liver cancer diagnosis at Mayo Clinic.

Treatment

Mayo Clinic offers a comprehensive range of treatments for liver cancer, including minimally invasive therapies such as radioembolization and radiofrequency ablation as well as laparoscopic surgery and liver transplantation. Read more about liver cancer treatment options at Mayo Clinic.

Support Services

Mayo Clinic provides several programs to help patients, their families and caregivers deal with the many issues that arise during and after liver cancer treatment, including support groups, family conferences and coordinated care by skilled cancer nurses. Mayo's experienced staff can also help with lodging, transportation, counseling services and other critical needs.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, is ranked No. 1 in Digestive Disorders in the U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings.

About Liver Cancer

Liver cancer can begin in the cells of the liver itself (primary liver cancer) or spread to the liver from other parts of your body (metastastic cancer). The most common form of primary liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma, which starts in the cells that filter toxins from your blood. Less often, primary liver cancer can develop in the bile ducts in your liver or in the liver's connective tissue or blood vessels. Read more about liver cancer.