Liver Cancer

Overview

Liver cancer begins in the cells of the liver itself (primary liver cancer). Cancer that starts in another part of the body and spreads to the liver is known as metastatic cancer and is named after the organ where it started (such as metastatic colon cancer that spreads to the liver). The most common form of primary liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma, which starts in the cells that filter toxins from your blood.

Causes of liver cancer include infection with the hepatitis B or C virus, alcohol use, or fatty liver disease. It can also result from environmental factors, genetic diseases, or conditions such as obesity and diabetes.

Liver cancer is challenging to treat. Often people don't have symptoms until it's quite advanced.

Why choose Mayo Clinic for liver cancer

• Expertise and experience. Mayo Clinic doctors from many medical specialties work together to provide you with the best care possible. At the Mayo Clinic Hepatobiliary Clinics (treating liver and bile duct cancers) in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota, your team of experts may include specialists in gastroenterology and hepatology, medical oncology, radiation oncology, interventional and diagnostic radiology, surgery, and other specialists, as needed. Liver transplantation is available to those who can benefit.
• Latest diagnostic and treatment options. Mayo Clinic is a leading medical center for the diagnosis and treatment of liver and bile duct cancers. You can benefit from the latest diagnostic tools and treatments. Surgeons at Mayo Clinic often use minimally invasive (laparoscopic) surgery for liver tumors.
• Comprehensive cancer center. The Mayo Clinic Cancer Center receives funding from the National Cancer Institute and is designated as a comprehensive cancer center — a recognition for an institution's scientific excellence in research and multispecialty resources that are focused on cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
• Latest research. At the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center Gastrointestinal Cancer Program, liver cancer is being studied for new diagnostic tools, prevention and treatment. Researchers are conducting several clinical trials.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., is ranked among the Best Hospitals for cancer by U.S. News & World Report. Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla., and Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., are ranked high performing for cancer by U.S. News & World Report.

Mayo Clinic: Answers you can trust

At Mayo Clinic, we assemble a team of specialists who take the time to listen and thoroughly understand your health issues and concerns. We tailor the care you receive to your personal health care needs. You can trust our specialists to collaborate and offer you the best possible outcomes, safety and service.

Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit medical institution that reinvests all earnings into improving medical practice, research and education. We're constantly involved in innovation and medical research, finding solutions to improve your care and quality of life. Your doctor or someone on your medical team is likely involved in research related to your condition.

Our patients tell us that the quality of their interactions, our attention to detail and the efficiency of their visits mean health care — and trusted answers — like they've never experienced.

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