Secondary liver cancer

What is secondary liver cancer?

Secondary cancer in the liver happens when cancer cells spread to the liver from a primary cancer somewhere else in the body. Sometimes, cells break away from the primary cancer. These cancer cells are carried in the bloodstream or lymphatic system to another part of the body. The cells may stay in that part of the body and make a new tumour. If this happens, it is called a secondary cancer or a metastasis.

We have more information about the liver and what it does in our information about primary liver cancer.

Any type of cancer can spread to the liver. But some types are more likely to. These include:

If you have secondary liver cancer, it is best to read this information along with the information about the primary cancer you have.

Usually, people who get secondary cancer in the liver know they have cancer. But sometimes secondary liver cancer is found before the primary cancer is diagnosed. Sometimes the primary cancer cannot be found. This is called a cancer of unknown primary .

Sometimes cancer can start in the liver. This is called primary liver cancer. Primary liver cancer is rare in the UK. Secondary liver cancer is much more common.

Related pages

What is cancer?

Booklets and resources

Symptoms of secondary cancer

Secondary cancer in the liver may not cause any symptoms for a long time. In some people, it may be found during routine tests.

Possible symptoms may include:

loss of appetite and feeling full soon after starting to eat
tiredness (fatigue)
the skin and whites of the eyes looking yellow (jaundice).

These symptoms can be caused by other conditions. But it is important to get them checked by your doctor or nurse.

We have more information about the symptoms of secondary liver cancer.

Diagnosis of secondary liver cancer

Tests and diagnosis

Secondary liver cancer may be diagnosed at the same time as the primary cancer. Or it may develop later. Sometimes it is found during regular scans as part of follow up after treatment for a primary cancer, such as bowel cancer. Some people are diagnosed after they develop symptoms caused by secondary liver cancer.

You may see your doctor (GP) or your cancer specialist. They will ask you about any symptoms you have and examine you. You may have some of the following tests and scans.

Blood tests

You may have blood tests to check your general health and how well your liver and kidneys are working. Sometimes doctors use specific blood tests to diagnose and monitor the cancer.
Liver ultrasound scan

You may have an external ultrasound scan of your tummy (abdomen). This uses sound waves to build up a picture of the liver. This test is painless and only takes a few minutes.
CT scan

A CT scan takes a series of x-rays, which build up a three-dimensional picture of the inside of the body.
MRI scan

An MRI scan uses magnetism to build up detailed pictures of your body.
Liver biopsy

A doctor may take a small piece of tissue from the liver to look at under a microscope. This is called a liver biopsy.
PET-CT scan

A PET-CT is a combination of a CT scan, which takes a series of x-rays to build up a three-dimensional picture, and a positron emission tomography (PET) scan.

Diagnosing the primary cancer

Occasionally, secondary cancer is found in the liver before the primary cancer is diagnosed.

If this happens, your doctor may arrange for you to have tests to find out where the primary cancer is. They can tell you more about these tests and what they involve.

Waiting for test results can be a difficult time. We have more information that can help.

Macmillan is also here to support you. If you would like to talk, you can:

Call the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00.
Chat to our specialists online.
Visit our secondary liver cancer forum to talk with people who have been affected by secondary liver cancer, share your experience, and ask an expert your questions.

Treatment for secondary liver cancer

Treatment for secondary cancer in the liver usually aims to control the cancer for as long as possible and reduce any symptoms.

The treatment you have depends on:

where the cancer has spread from (the primary cancer)
which parts of the liver are affected
whether other parts of the body are affected.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the most common treatment for secondary cancer in the liver.
Surgery

Only a small number of people will be able to have surgery. It is usually only possible for bowel cancers or neuroendocrine tumours that have spread to the liver but it may occasionally be an option for other types of cancer. Surgery is most commonly used if the cancer affects just a few areas of the liver and if there is no cancer anywhere else in the body.
Hormonal therapies

Hormonal therapies are sometimes used. This is most common for cancer that started in the breast or other cancers that depend on hormones to grow.
Targeted therapies

Targeted therapy drugs are sometimes used to treat secondary cancer in the liver. They may be used with other treatments, such as chemotherapy and surgery.
Immunotherapy

Immunotherapies are sometimes used. They are usually given on their own. They may be used if the cancer started in the lungs or as a skin cancer called melanoma..
Ablation

Ablation uses heat or cold to destroy cancer cells. It is most commonly used as a treatment for people with cancer that started in the bowel if they have previously had surgery, or could have had surgery but are not fit enough for a major operation. Types of ablation include radiofrequency ablation, microwave ablation, laser ablation and cryotherapy.
Embolisation treatments

Embolisation treatments are used to cut off the blood supply to the tumour. Chemotherapy or radiation may be injected into the liver tumours at the same time. This is called chemo-embolisation or radio-embolisation (SIRT).
Radiotherapy

Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) is sometimes used to treat secondary liver cancer.
Supportive or palliative therapies

Supportive or palliative therapies are used to help control symptoms and improve quality of life. They are also used together with other treatments.

After secondary liver cancer treatment

Follow up

If you have secondary liver cancer, you will see your doctor regularly. They will monitor your health and treat any symptoms or discomfort caused by the cancer. You may have scans or blood tests to check the cancer or the effects of any treatment.

These appointments are a good chance to talk to your doctor about any worries or problems you have. But if you notice any new symptoms or are anxious about anything else between appointments, contact your doctor or specialist nurse for advice.

About our information

References

Below is a sample of the sources used in our secondary liver cancer information. If you would like more information about the sources we use, please contact us at cancerinformationteam@macmillan.org.uk

NICE. Liver cancers overview [Internet]. 2019. Available from: pathways.nice.org.uk/pathways/liver-cancers/liver-cancers-overview [accessed Feb 2020]

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Microwave Ablation for treating liver metastases. 2016. Available from: nice.org.uk/guidance/IPG553 [accessed February 2020].

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Colorectal cancer: Guidance NG151. 2019. Available from: nice.org.uk/guidance/ng151 [accessed February 2020].

Reviewers

This information has been written, revised and edited by Macmillan Cancer Support’s Cancer Information Development team. It has been reviewed by expert medical and health professionals and people living with cancer. It has been approved by Dr Paul Ross, Consultant Medical Oncologist.

Our cancer information has been awarded the PIF TICK. Created by the Patient Information Forum, this quality mark shows we meet PIF’s 10 criteria for trustworthy health information.