Liver cancer

Liver cancer can be divided into two categories:

Primary liver cancer
Secondary liver cancer

Primary liver cancer is a rare type of tumour that begins in the liver. It is much more common in men than in women and is more likely to affect people as they get older. There are different types of primary liver cancer:

hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or hepatoma, (the most common) starts in the main cell type in the liver, the hepatocytes
cholangiocarcinoma, or bile duct cancer, starts in the cells lining the bile ducts (which connect the liver to the bowel and gall bladder)
angiosarcoma starts in the blood vessels. This is a rare type of liver cancer that is more likely to occur in people over 70.

Secondary cancer in the liver is more common than primary liver cancer. Secondary cancer happens when cancer cells spread to the liver from a primary cancer somewhere else in the body.

If you have secondary liver cancer, you may find it helpful to read information about your primary cancer as well. Any type of cancer can spread to the liver. Common types that do include:

View Cancer Council Australia information on liver cancer and optimal care pathways for liver cancer – what to expect.

Patient stories

Everyone reacts differently

Being diagnosed with cancer can be an overwhelming experience, no matter who you are or what cancer you have.

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Take control

Take control of your cancer treatment journey. Ask questions and do not be afraid to ask for help.

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You're not alone

There is a team of professionals to help you through the emotional and practical aspects of your treatment.

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(Disclaimer: All patient stories are based on real life experiences as told to us. The stories are portrayed by actors to protect the privacy and confidentiality of our patients.)

Treatments

Radiation therapy

What is radiation therapy?

Radiation therapy is the use of high energy x-rays (called ionising radiation) to treat cancer.

Managing side effects

Advice on managing potential side effects of radiation therapy.

We’ve created some short videos to help you understand the radiation therapy process. Be sure to ask you treatment team for more information if you have any questions or concerns.

Radiation therapy planning

A radiation therapy planning session (sometimes called a simulation) is an important part of your treatment. The radiation therapy team plan the position of your body and place marks on your skin for future sessions. This video shows a typical session at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. Your session may vary depending on your type of cancer and your treatment needs.

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Radiation therapy treatment

This video shows a typical treatment session for radiation therapy to the head or neck at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. Your treatment may vary depending on your treatment needs. For example, if you are having treatment to a different area of your body you will not need to wear the mask shown in this video.

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Radiotherapy for adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients

This video gives an overview of what radiotherapy will be like at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. Your treatment may vary depending on your treatment needs. Young people with a treatment experience of radiotherapy offer their advice and guidance on what it is like and tips on how to stay well during treatment.

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Chemotherapy

What is chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy is a term for a large number of drugs with different methods of working and different side effects. It is used to improve the chance of cure or to control the growth of cancer cells.

Managing side effects

Advice on managing potential side effects of chemotherapy treatment.

We’ve created some short videos to help you understand the chemotherapy process. Although these have been filmed at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital you will go through a similar process at other facilities.

Coming for your chemotherapy

There are a number of things you’ll need to know for you first visit for chemotherapy. Your doctor will review any tests and scans and discuss your diagnosis and treatment options with you. Don’t forget to bring your scans and test results. You’ll also need a blood test before each visit. This video shows a typical session at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, but you will go through a similar process at other facilities.

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Your chemotherapy treatment

This video shows a typical chemotherapy treatment session at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, but you will go through a similar process at other facilities. You will learn about the process and the safety procedures we use to make sure your treatment is as effective and safe as possible.

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Resources

Waste products at home

Guidelines for dealing with waste products at home for 7 days after chemotherapy

CADD Pumps

Information for patients on the care of CADD pumps.

If you have a Central Venous Access Device

Surgery

Sometimes surgery is the most effective approach for a particular type of cancer. Your doctor will discuss this with you as part of your treatment.

Other treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, can be given before, during or after surgery.

Surgery is a medical treatment performed by a surgeon or a surgical oncologist to remove cancer from the body or repair a part of the body affected by cancer. It’s sometimes called an operation.

Cancer Council Australia resources

Understanding Surgery: A guide for people with cancer, their families and friends

Targeted therapies

Targeted therapy uses drugs to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells. The treatment works by selectively targeting particular types of cancer cells while minimising harm to normal, healthy cells.

Targeted therapies can be used for different reasons and may be used instead of, or in combination with chemotherapy. Not all cancers respond to targeted therapies, and some of these therapies are only available in clinical trials.

Cancer Council Queensland resources

What is targeted cancer therapy

Supporting your treatment

As part of your cancer journey you may see one or more of our Allied Health professionals.

Cancer research

Cancer care Services has an active research program through our collaboration with a range of world-class research organisations.

QIMR Berghofer

QIMR Berghofer is one of Australia’s most successful medical research institutes and conducts extensive research on different cancer types. Metro North HHS and QIMR Berghofer partner on a range of cancer studies through our hospitals and our membership of Brisbane Diamantina Health Partners.

Brisbane Diamantina Health Partners

Brisbane Diamantina Health Partners is an academic health science network. Its members include hospital and health services, primary care, universities and medical research institutes who collectively take local and international research and accelerate its application to new treatments across the spectrum of health care.

Herston Imaging Research Facility (HIRF)

Located at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, HIRF has been purpose-built to facilitate imaging research and clinical trials. Its state of the art clinical scanners and prime location within Australia’s largest hospital precinct position it as a leading global force in clinical imaging research.

Australian Cancer Research Foundation

The Australian Cancer Research Foundation provides news, information and leading opinions on treatment, prevention, diagnosis and cure.

Clinical trials

Clinical trials test new treatments to find better ways to prevent, detect or treat disease. Both healthy people and people with a disease or condition can volunteer to be part of a trial.

Cancer Care Services participate in a range of clinical trials at our hospitals. For information about any of the trials below, ask your doctor or nurse.

For information about clinical trials in general visit the Australian Clinical Trials website or search the Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry.