Treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma depends on the location and the extent of the cancer. Treatment also may depend on the condition of the liver. Surgery may be used to remove the cancer. In some people, a liver transplant may be an option. Other treatments may include ablation, embolization, radiation therapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapy.

Surgery

Treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma may start with surgery to remove part of the liver including the cancer or the whole liver with a transplant. Surgery options include:

• Surgery to remove the cancer. A partial hepatectomy is used for people whose cancer is in one part of the liver. This surgery removes the cancer and some healthy tissue around it. Whether this is an option for you depends on the location of your cancer within the liver, how well your liver functions and your overall health.
• Liver transplant surgery. Sometimes surgery to remove the cancer is combined with a liver transplant. A surgeon removes the cancer and all of the liver. Then the surgeon puts a healthy liver from a donor into the body. A liver transplant may be an option in otherwise healthy people whose cancer hasn't spread beyond the liver. Other treatments may be used to treat the cancer while waiting for a transplant.

Other liver procedures

Other procedures on the liver can help treat hepatocellular carcinoma. These treatments may be used in people who can't have surgery to remove the cancer. These other liver procedures for hepatocellular carcinoma include:

• Radiofrequency ablation. Radiofrequency ablation uses electric current and heat to hurt the cancer cells. During this procedure, a healthcare professional places small needles into the cancer. The needles deliver hot temperatures that hurt the cancer cells.
• Cryoablation. Cryoablation uses cold to hurt the cancer cells. During the procedure, a healthcare professional places small needles into the cancer. The needles deliver cold temperatures that hurt the cancer cells.
• Chemoembolization. Chemoembolization gives chemotherapy medicines directly to the cancer. It also uses medicine that blocks the flow of blood to the cancer. Blocking the blood flow to the cancer may cause the cancer to shrink, grow more slowly or not grow at all.
• Radioembolization. Radioembolization uses tiny beads that hold radiation. The healthcare team puts the beads into a blood vessel that goes to the liver. The beads give off radiation directly to the cancer.
• Radiation therapy. Radiation therapy treats cancer with powerful energy beams. The energy can come from X-rays, protons or other sources. The beams can target the cancer in the liver.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy for cancer is a treatment with medicine that helps the body's immune system kill cancer cells. The immune system fights off diseases by attacking germs and other cells that shouldn't be in the body. Cancer cells survive by hiding from the immune system. Immunotherapy helps the immune system cells find and kill the cancer cells.

Immunotherapy may be used after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells. For those with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma that can't be removed with surgery, immunotherapy may be an option.

Targeted therapy

Targeted therapy for cancer is a treatment that uses medicines that attack specific chemicals in the cancer cells. By blocking these chemicals, targeted treatments can cause cancer cells to die.

Targeted therapy may be used after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells. For those with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma that can't be removed with surgery, targeted therapy may be an option.

Palliative care

Palliative care is a special type of healthcare that helps you feel better when you have a serious illness. If you have cancer, palliative care can help relieve pain and other symptoms. A healthcare team that may include doctors, nurses and other specially trained health professionals provides palliative care. The care team's goal is to improve quality of life for you and your family.

Palliative care specialists work with you, your family and your care team. They provide an extra layer of support while you have cancer treatment. You can have palliative care at the same time you're getting strong cancer treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy or radiation therapy.

The use of palliative care with other treatments can help people with cancer feel better and live longer.