The diagnosis of liver cancer is often a shock for those affected. The question often arises as to the probability of survival and the chances of cure. We provide information about the diagnosis, life expectancy and prognosis in liver cancer.
Diagnosis of liver cancer
If there is a suspicion that a patient has liver cancer, various examinations must be performed. Usually, the physician will first have a detailed conversation with the patient, in which the patient reports the duration and nature of his or her complaints. The doctor will then perform an ultrasound examination and draw blood from the patient.
Ultrasound examination and tumor markers
Ultrasound examination, which incidentally does not cause any pain, can accurately image the tissue structures of the liver. This can make even small tumors visible. The blood test is primarily concerned with determining the concentration of the tumor marker AFP. Tumor markers are produced in the body in response to the formation of malignant cells. However, they also occur in the bodies of healthy people. If the suspicion of cancer cannot be eliminated or confirmed with certainty by these procedures, further examinations are necessary:
- By a computer tomography (CT), a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and an X-ray of the chest, the attending physician can obtain more precise information about the size of the tumor.
- Whether it is actually liver cancer, however, can ultimately only be determined by a fine tissue examination. To do this, the doctor takes a tissue sample from the liver and then examines it under the microscope (biopsy).
Liver cancer: life expectancy and chances of cure.
How good the chances of cure are and how high the life expectancy is, depends primarily on the stage at which the liver cancer is detected: The size and location, as well as the number of tumors, are decisive for the prognosis. The earlier the disease is diagnosed, the better the chances of recovery. However, since liver cancer often becomes apparent late, most liver cancers are discovered at an advanced stage. The question of whether the liver cancer is primary or secondary is also decisive for the chances of cure. In the case of secondary liver cancer, life expectancy depends largely on how the causative cancer progresses. If there is a primary liver cancer that can be removed by surgery, life expectancy is more than five years in over 50 percent of patients. In many patients, however, the liver cancer is already so advanced at the time of diagnosis that the chances of recovery are slim. Especially if the cancer has already metastasized, this significantly worsens the chances of cure. If palliative therapy is given under these conditions, the average life expectancy is between six and twelve months. Without such therapy, life expectancy is lower.
Preventing liver cancer
There is no sure protection from any cancer, however, you can significantly reduce your risk of liver cancer by preventing cirrhosis of the liver. Liver cirrhosis often results from hepatitis B or hepatitis C disease. While you can protect yourself from hepatitis B through vaccination, no such protection exists for hepatitis C. Anyone with hepatitis B or C should seek treatment early to prevent chronic inflammation of the liver. Diseases of the liver are also often caused by excessive alcohol consumption. People who drink too much alcohol significantly increase their risk of developing cirrhosis of the liver. Not drinking alcohol, or drinking only a little, is thus an effective way to protect yourself from liver cancer. If you suffer from cirrhosis, you should have your liver examined regularly to detect possible cancer early.
- Delbrück, H. (2011): Liver cancer. Advice and help for affected persons and relatives. Kohlhammer, 2nd revised edition.
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Online information of the German Cancer Society (DKG): liver cancer – symptoms. (Retrieved: 05/2020)
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Ärzteblatt (2018): global number of cancer diagnoses on the rise. (Retrieved: 05/2020)
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Online information of the German Cancer Society (DKG): liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). (retrieved: 05/2020)
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Guideline program oncology of the Association of the Scientific Medical Societies e. V., the German Cancer Society e. V. and the German Cancer Aid e. V. : Patient guideline liver cancer. (Status: 11/2014)
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Internisten im Netz: Liver cancer: examinations and diagnosis. (Retrieved: 05/2020)
