Liver cancer

Malignant liver tumours can be either primary (the original site) or metastatic (secondary to another cancer somewhere else in the body).

Enquiries & Appointments

Cancer patient in oncology unit-1169640664.jpg

About primary liver cancer

Primary liver cancer is cancer that begins in the liver. Primary liver cancer is more common in men than in women, and the risk of developing liver cancer gets higher as we get older. Whilst rare, primary liver cancer is increasing in prevalence in the UK.

Cancer that started in another part of the body and has spread to the liver is called secondary liver cancer or metastatic liver cancer.

If you are diagnosed with liver cancer you will have immediate access to our world-leading consultants and state-of-the-art hospitals.

Liver cancer types

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or Hepatoma is the most common type of primary liver cancer. HCC arises from the main cells of the liver known as the hepatocytes. Whist ordinarily confined to the liver it may, on occasion, spread to other organs. More common in men than women, HCC occurs mostly in people with cirrhosis of the liver.

Cholangiocarcinoma

Cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) starts in the cells lining the bile ducts and is more common in men than in women. The bile ducts are the tubes connecting the liver and gall bladder to the small intestine. This type of liver cancer is more common in women.

More about bile duct cancer.

Our Liver cancer locations

The Harley Street Clinic

The Harley Street Clinic

35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
The Princess Grace Hospital

The Princess Grace Hospital

42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
The Lister Hospital

The Lister Hospital

Chelsea Bridge Road, SW1W 8RH London
The Shard Outpatients

The Shard Outpatients

The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
London Bridge Hospital

London Bridge Hospital

27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Wellington Hospital

The Wellington Hospital

8A Wellington Place NW8 9LE London

Patient stories

This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.