At Riverside, our gastrointestinal cancer team has the experience and expertise to diagnose and treat all GI cancers, including liver cancer. We use a multidisciplinary approach for any type of cancer we treat, so your diagnosis and treatment plan will have input from an entire team, including research and clinical trials. Your cancer care team meets regularly through case conferences, also called tumor boards, so patients benefit from the expertise from every member of your team, all working together for you.
Cancer that metastasizes or spreads to the liver is actually more frequently diagnosed than cancer that originates in the liver. Those with primary liver cancer may not experience symptoms, but if you lose weight or lose your appetite – or have abdominal pain or swelling, please see your primary care provider or a GI cancer expert. It is essential to determine the cause of your symptoms. Your symptoms may be from a wide range of gastrointestinal conditions and you must receive an expert diagnosis to begin treatment and healing as soon as possible.
Your liver cancer team will identify your specific type and stage of liver cancer with a series of diagnostic imaging and staging tests, which may include:
- Abdominal Ultrasound
- Computed tomography ( CT/CAT scan)
- Hepatic arteriography
- Liver Biopsy
- Liver function test
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Advanced treatments for liver cancer available at Riverside
Significant advances have been made to treat liver cancer and Riverside is at the forefront of this technology. After your diagnosis, you will first see a surgeon who will bring your case to the tumor board, the multidisciplinary team of experts to review all treatment options, including surgery, stereotactic radiosurgery or interventional radiology.
We provide radioembolization treatment for liver cancer, which delivers targeted cancer treatment directly to cancer tumors in the liver – all with a minimally invasive catheter-based technique. These cancer-fighting particles stay in the tumor, blocking blood flow to the cancer cells to shrink the tumor. As with all cancer treatments at Riverside, your team will continuously monitor your treatment for safety and effectiveness.
Advanced treatments such as radioembolization or stereotactic radiosurgery may be treatments that will work best for your liver cancer diagnosis. At Riverside, the entire cancer care team will work together for the treatment plan that will most effectively work for you. You can rest assured that Riverside has the expertise and full range of treatments to treat your liver cancer so you can move on to recovery and survivorship.
Understanding liver cancer risk factors
General risk factors such as family history and obesity can increase your risk of cancer, but primary liver cancer has a unique list of risk factors, including:
- Cirrhosis
- Diabetes
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Hepatitis B or C infection
- Inherited liver diseases
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
You can reduce your chance of liver cancer by limiting alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy weight, getting vaccinated against hepatitis B and helping prevent hepatitis B by practicing safe sex and using caution with IV drug use or needle use for piercings or tattoos. Your Riverside primary care provider can help you learn how to improve your health and reduce your risk of many cancers.
Learn more about liver cancer care at Riverside
Riverside provides complete cancer care and support, including advanced diagnostics, surgery, interventional radiology and stereotactic radiosurgery. As key members of your cancer care team, our patient navigators help you through every aspect of care, sharing resources and support services. Please contact our team for more information about Riverside’s liver cancer services.