10/09/2023
What is liver cancer?
Primary liver cancer is a malignant tumour that begins in the liver. There are different types:
hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or hepatoma, is the most common type of primary liver cancer and it starts in the main cell type in the liver, the hepatocytes
cholangiocarcinoma, or bile duct cancer, starts in the cells lining the bile ducts (which connect the liver to the bowel and gall bladder)
angiosarcoma, which starts in the blood vessels. This is a rare type of liver cancer that is more likely to occur in people over 70.
Secondary cancer in the liver is cancer that started in another part of the body but has spread to the liver. If you have secondary cancer in the liver, it may be useful to read information about the primary cancer in conjunction with this information or about cancer of unknown primary.
A secondary cancer is named after the primary site where it began, for example bowel cancer with liver secondaries. In this information, we use the term "secondary cancer in the liver" to refer to any cancer type that has spread to the liver.
It is estimated that more than 3000 people were diagnosed with liver cancer in 2023. The average age at diagnosis is 69 years old.
Liver cancer signs and symptoms
Liver cancer symptoms are more likely to appear as the cancer grows or becomes advanced.
Symptoms may include:
weakness and tiredness
pain in the abdomen
swelling of the abdomen due to a build-up of fluid (ascites)
pain in the right shoulder
appetite loss and feeling sick
weight loss
yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
pale bowel motions
fever.
Causes of liver cancer
Hepatitis B or C viruses which result in long term (chronic) infection can cause liver cancer. This is the biggest known risk factor for primary liver cancer in Australia.
There are other factors that can increase the risk of developing liver cancer, such as:
fatty liver disease or genetic disorders including haemochromatosis, or alpha 1-anti