Liver Cancer
LIVER TUMOR & IMAGE-GUIDED CARE
Liver cancer may start in the liver or spread there from another area of the body. Evaluation often focuses on tumor type, liver function, imaging findings, symptoms, and whether image-guided treatment options may be appropriate.
- Liver tumors may be found on imaging
- Symptoms can be subtle at first
- Care depends on tumor type and liver health
- Image-guided options may be considered
Evaluation & Next Steps
- Clear severity assessment and next steps
- Supportive care and recovery guidance
- Care across 4 Las Vegas locations
Call: (702) 703-4340
Hours: Mon–Fri: 8am–5pm
On this page
Quick Summary
Key takeaway: Liver cancer care depends on the type of tumor, the number and location of lesions, liver function, overall health, and whether treatment is focused on local control, symptom relief, or coordination with oncology care.
Evaluation may include imaging review, lab work, staging information, symptom assessment, and discussion of whether minimally invasive, image-guided liver-directed therapies may fit the overall treatment plan.
Overview
What is Liver Cancer?
Liver cancer refers to malignant tumors involving the liver. Some cancers begin in the liver, while others spread to the liver from another primary cancer site.
Why Evaluation Matters
Liver tumor treatment planning depends on detailed imaging, tumor behavior, liver function, prior treatments, and overall goals of care. A careful evaluation helps determine whether observation, systemic therapy, surgery, radiation, ablation, embolization, or other liver-directed care may be appropriate.
Symptoms
Liver cancer may not cause obvious symptoms early. When symptoms develop, they can vary based on tumor size, location, liver function, and whether other medical conditions are present.
Abdominal Fullness or Pain
Some patients notice discomfort, pressure, or fullness in the upper abdomen, especially when tumors affect the liver capsule or nearby structures.
Unexplained Weight or Appetite Changes
Weight loss, reduced appetite, early fullness, or fatigue may occur with liver tumors or related illness.
Jaundice or Liver-Function Changes
Yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, swelling, or abnormal liver tests may suggest changes in liver function or bile flow.
Tumors Found on Imaging
Some liver tumors are discovered during ultrasound, CT, MRI, or surveillance imaging before symptoms become noticeable.
Seek care now if…
Seek prompt evaluation if you develop yellowing of the skin or eyes, severe abdominal pain, vomiting blood, black stools, confusion, rapid swelling, fever, or sudden worsening weakness.
Causes & Risk Factors
Liver cancer risk and treatment planning depend on whether the tumor started in the liver, spread from another cancer, or developed in the setting of chronic liver disease.
Common Causes
- Primary liver cancer
- Cancer spread from another site
- Chronic liver disease or cirrhosis
- Hepatitis-related liver injury
- Tumor growth affecting liver tissue
Imaging, labs, prior cancer history, and biopsy results when needed help clarify the tumor type and guide the care plan.
Risk Factors
- Cirrhosis or liver scarring
- Chronic hepatitis B or C
- Heavy alcohol-related liver injury
- Fatty liver disease
- History of another cancer
- Abnormal liver function tests
- Prior liver tumors or treatments
Diagnosis
Diagnosis and treatment planning usually combine imaging findings, lab results, medical history, liver function, cancer history, and care-team recommendations.
Typical Evaluation
- Review symptoms and cancer history
- Evaluate liver imaging
- Review liver function labs
- Assess tumor size and location
- Coordinate with oncology or surgery
- Consider biopsy when needed
What to Bring
- Recent CT, MRI, or ultrasound reports
- Prior biopsy or pathology results
- Current cancer treatment records
- Recent lab work
- Medication and blood thinner list
- Questions about treatment goals
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on tumor type, number and location of lesions, liver function, overall health, prior treatments, and the recommendations of the broader cancer care team.
Related care: Treatment planning may include imaging review, biopsy coordination, ablation, embolization, liver-directed therapy discussion, oncology coordination, or follow-up imaging when appropriate.
Risk Management
- Liver function review
- Medication safety review
- Bleeding-risk assessment
- Care-team coordination
Monitoring & Symptom Protection
- Follow-up imaging
- Lab monitoring
- Symptom tracking
- Treatment response review
Image-Guided Treatment
- Tumor ablation discussion
- Embolization options
- Biopsy when needed
- Liver-directed therapy planning
Follow-Up Evaluation
- New or worsening symptoms
- Changing imaging findings
- Abnormal liver tests
- Oncology treatment planning
Recovery
Recovery and follow-up depend on the tumor type, treatment approach, liver function, and whether care involves monitoring, biopsy, ablation, embolization, systemic therapy, surgery, or a combination of treatments.
What Helps Most
- Follow-up imaging: Imaging helps track tumor response or change over time.
- Lab monitoring: Liver function and blood counts may need ongoing review.
- Care coordination: Oncology, surgery, and interventional radiology plans should stay aligned.
- Symptom reporting: New pain, jaundice, swelling, or fever should be reported promptly.
- Medication review: Blood thinners and liver-sensitive medications may need special planning.
When to Follow Up
- Symptoms worsen: Pain, swelling, jaundice, fever, or weakness increases.
- Imaging changes: A scan shows new, enlarging, or changing liver lesions.
- Labs change: Liver function or blood tests become more concerning.
- Treatment planning changes: Oncology recommends liver-directed evaluation.
- After a procedure: Follow-up imaging or lab review is needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Liver cancer refers to malignant tumors involving the liver. Some start in the liver, while others spread there from another cancer site.
Diagnosis may include imaging, lab work, medical history, biopsy when needed, and review by the broader cancer care team.
Some liver tumors may be considered for image-guided treatments such as ablation or embolization, depending on tumor type, location, liver function, and overall care goals.
Not always. Some tumors can be characterized with imaging and clinical history, while others may need biopsy to guide treatment planning.
Severe abdominal pain, jaundice, fever, confusion, vomiting blood, black stools, or sudden worsening weakness should be evaluated promptly.
Treatment planning often involves coordination among oncology, surgery, interventional radiology, and other specialists based on the diagnosis and treatment goals.
Locations
LVVIS offers vein evaluation and treatment planning at multiple Las Vegas locations. Choose the office that is most convenient when scheduling your visit.
LVVIS West Side Consultation Office
8930 W Sunset Rd, Suite 350
Las Vegas, NV 89148
Consultations and vascular evaluations
LV2 Limb & Vascular Division
8930 W Sunset Rd, Suite 350
Las Vegas, NV 89148
Limb preservation and podiatry partnership care
LVVIS East Procedure Office
2250 E Flamingo Rd, Suite 100
Las Vegas, NV 89119
Procedures, diagnostics, and circulatory care
LVVIS West Side Surgical Center
6120 S Fort Apache Rd, Suite 100
Las Vegas, NV 89148
Advanced vascular and interventional procedures