Lahey Cancer Institute
Clinical experts of Lahey Cancer Institute offer research, training and education in addition to personalized patient care using advanced treatments at locations convenient to you.
Liver Cancer Care
Expert care from a knowledgeable and compassionate team
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Leading Oncology Experts in Liver Care
If you face liver cancer, you have the strong, expert liver care team at Lahey Clinic in your corner. We’ll be by your side from screening and diagnosis through treatment and follow-up care.
About Liver Cancer
The liver is one of the body’s largest, most important organs. Also known as maglignant liver tumor, liver cancer refers to two different types of tumors: primary and secondary liver tumors.
Primary liver cancer occurs when normal liver cells change into abnormal cells that grow uncontrollably. Primary simply means the tumor began in the cells of the liver. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and hepatoma are types of primary liver cancers. Cholangiocarcinoma is a bile duct cancer. Chronic liver diseases, such as cirrhosis, increase your risk.
In the United States, primary liver cancer is rare, but on the increase. This change could be linked to the rise in chronic hepatitis C infections during the 1970s. About 10% of primary liver cancer cases are bile duct cancer making it also uncommon.
The more common type is secondary, or metastatic, tumors. This refers to malignant (cancerous) cells that have spread to the liver from cancers in other parts of the body such as the colon, lung or breast.
More About Liver Cancer Care
Our Liver Cancer Medical Teams
Lahey has an expert team working in its Liver-Biliary Tumor program. The team includes specialists from different medical fields:
- Transplant hepatologists
- Hepatobiliary/transplant surgeons
- Oncologists
- Radiation oncologists
- Interventional radiologists
- Liver pathologist
- Gastroenterologists and advanced endoscopists
- Hepatology physician assistant (PA)
- Liver tumor nursing navigator
- Transplant nursing coordinator
- Palliative care specialist
This medical team is supported by schedulers, dietitians, a specialty pharmacist, social workers, a finance coordinator and others who will help you throughout treatment.
Screening & Treatment for Liver Cancer
Lahey offers a number of innovative screening programs for patients at higher risk of liver cancer. This includes those with hepatitis or who have had a transplant.
If you’re diagnosed with any type of liver tumor, you can count on outstanding care from Lahey. We offer advanced liver cancer treatments, including clinical trials.
Given the link between hepatitis and liver cancer, both diseases are highly active areas of research at Lahey. Our goal is to improve outcomes for liver cancer patients. Speak with your doctor to learn if you qualify for an upcoming liver cancer clinical trial. It may give you access to a promising new treatment method.
We also offer cancer rehabilitation and other support services following treatment.
Cancer Programs
Our oncology teams have a high level of expertise to treat common and rare cancers using the latest cancer research, as well as advanced diagnostic and treatment techniques.
