Treatments for liver cancer
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If you have liver cancer, your healthcare team will create a treatment plan just for you. It will be based on your health and specific information about the cancer. When deciding which treatments to offer for liver cancer, your healthcare team will consider:
- the stage
- how well your liver is working (liver function)
- the amount of scarring in the liver (called cirrhosis)
- whether the cancer can be completely removed by surgery
- your overall health
Liver cancer is often at an advanced stage when it is diagnosed, so treatment options may be limited.
Treatments for stage 0 liver cancer
Surgery or ablation therapy are the standard treatments for stage 0 liver cancer. Learn about these treatment options.
Treatments for stage A liver cancer
Surgery, ablation therapy or transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) may be offered for stage A liver cancer. Learn about treatment and options.
Treatments for stage B liver cancer
Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), targeted therapy or radiation therapy are treatment options for stage B liver cancer. Learn about these treatment options.
Treatments for stage C liver cancer
Targeted therapy, immunotherapy and radiation therapy are treatments for stage C liver cancer. Learn about these treatments for liver cancer.
Treatments for stage D liver cancer
There are no treatments for stage D liver cancer. Learn about palliative care for advanced liver cancer.
Treatments for recurrent liver cancer
Treatment options for liver cancer that has come back will depend on where the cancer has returned, how well your liver is working and your health. Learn about the treatment options.
Surgery for liver cancer
Liver resection and liver transplantation are 2 surgeries that may be offered for liver cancer. Learn about these surgical options.
Ablation therapies for liver cancer
Ablation therapies for liver cancer include radiofrequency ablation, microwave ablation and percutaneous ethanol injection. Learn how these therapies are used.
Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for liver cancer
Transarterial chemoembolization may be offered as a main treatment for liver cancer or for people waiting for a transplant. Learn about TACE for liver cancer.
Targeted therapy for liver cancer
Targeted therapy uses drugs that target proteins on the cancer cells. It is used for advanced liver cancer. Learn about targeted therapy.
Radiation therapy for liver cancer
External radiation therapy and internal radiation therapy may be used to treat liver cancer. Find out more about radiation therapy for liver cancer.
Immunotherapy for liver cancer
Some people with liver cancer have immunotherapy. Immunotherapy helps to strengthen or restore the immune system’s ability to fight cancer. Immunotherapy is sometimes called biological therapy.
Follow-up after treatment for liver cancer
Follow-up after liver cancer varies. Learn about scheduled follow-up appointments and the procedures and tests that may be done.