Liver Cancer

Overview

The liver is one of the largest organs in the body, filling the upper right side of the abdomen and protected by the rib cage. The liver has many functions, including a role in making food into energy, and filtering blood.

Incidence

The American Cancer Society estimates that over 20,000 new cases of liver cancer will be diagnosed in 2008. The liver is also the site of many cancers that have traveled, or metastasized, from other tumors, including colorectal, breast, adrenal, pancreatic, and prostate cancers. In the United States and Europe, metastastic cancer of the liver is more common than primary liver cancer.

Treatments & Unique Therapies

At RPCI, a multidisciplinary team works to provide optimal care to patient with liver cancer. Unique therapies may be available for this cancer, including an innovative treatment option for patients with inoperable liver tumors. Radio frequency ablation (RFA) uses high-energy, radio-frequency sound waves to vibrate tumor cells. When a probe is placed into the tumor, the energy is limited to the area being treated and does not affect normal tissues nearby.

Multidisciplinary Team

 Links on this page will take you to RPCI's team that specializes in liver cancer.