Treatment

This information is about different types of treatment for cancer that started in the liver (primary liver cancer). 

If you have a cancer that started in another part of your body and has spread to your liver you need to go to our information about secondary liver cancer

Preparing for treatment and life afterwards (prehabilitation)

There are things you can do to help you feel more in control of your physical and mental health when preparing for treatment. In the hospital, preparing for treatment is also called prehabilitation or prehab.

Treatment options for liver cancer

Find out about the different types of treatment for liver cancer and how your doctor decides which treatment you need. 

Surgery for liver cancer

Surgery is one of the main treatments for early cancer that started in the liver (primary liver cancer). 

Trans arterial chemoembolisation (TACE)

Trans arterial chemoembolisation (TACE) gives high doses of chemotherapy to the tumour in the liver and blocks off the blood supply. It’s also called trans arterial chemoembolisation (TACE).

Treatment using heat to destroy liver cancer (thermal ablation)

There are 2 types of thermal ablation; radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and microwave ablation (MWA). Find out how you have these treatments and the possible side effects.

Radiotherapy for liver cancer

Before you start radiotherapy the team carefully plan your treatment. They work out how much radiotherapy you need and exactly where you need it. 

Immunotherapy and targeted cancer drugs

Targeted cancer drugs can shrink an advanced cancer or slow its growth. Find out about how the treatment works, the drugs used and possible side effects.

Follow up after liver cancer treatment

After treatment for liver cancer you have regular follow up appointments and might need to have some tests.

Research and clinical trials

Find out about clinical trials in the UK for liver cancer and how you can take part.
 

Last reviewed: 
14 Oct 2021
Next review due: 
14 Oct 2024