Liver & Bile Duct Cancers

Definition

The largest internal organ of the body, the liver is responsible for filtering harmful substances from the body so they may be eliminated through urine or stool. The liver produces bile, a digestive juice that helps the body digest fats. Liver cancer occurs when cancerous cells grow in this organ.

Symptoms

The causes of liver cancer are unknown. It usually affects people over the age of 60. Risk factors may include:

Chronic hepatitis B and/or hepatitis C
Family history of hepatitis and liver cancer
Liver disease, such as cirrhosis
Eating foods that have aflatoxin, a fungal substance that grows on nuts and grains
Tobacco use
Use of anabolic steroids

The early stages of liver cancer may produce no symptoms. As the cancer develops, symptoms may be caused by a swelling of or a growth in the liver. Common symptoms of liver cancer include:

Development of a lump on the right of the body
Abdominal discomfort
Pain near the right shoulder blade
Appetite loss
Nausea
Unexplained weight loss
Jaundice
Exhaustion

Treatment

Tests that examine the liver and the blood are used to detect and diagnose adult primary liver cancer. The following tests and procedures may be used:

Blood Tests
Laparoscopy - a surgeon makes small incisions in the wall of the abdomen and inserts a thin, lighted tube with a camera to look for signs of liver cancer and, if needed, take samples of tissue for biopsy.
Biopsy
CT scans
MRI

If initial testing indicates the presence of liver cancer, treatment will depend on the stage of the cancer and may include:

Targeted drug therapy
Radiation therapy
Surgery (Partial Hepatectomy)
Laparoscopic liver resections
Hepatic pumps – delivery of chemotherapy directly to the liver through the hepatic artery
Chemoembolization – chemotherapy injected directly into the liver and blood supply of the tumor.
TheraSphere, an FDA-approved outpatient treatment for inoperable liver cancer.
Microwave ablation

For additional information on programs, services and locations, download and print the following PDFs:

St. Luke’s Radiation Oncology Program Guide

St. Luke’s Infusion Centers Guide

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