What is (are) Adult Primary Liver Cancer ?
Key Points
                    - Adult primary liver cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the liver.    - There are two types of adult primary liver cancer.    - Having hepatitis or cirrhosis can affect the risk of adult primary liver cancer.     - Signs and symptoms of adult primary liver cancer include a lump or pain on the right side.     - Tests that examine the liver and the blood are used to detect (find) and diagnose adult primary liver cancer.    - Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.
                
                
                    Adult primary liver cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the liver.
                    The liver is one of the largest organs in the body. It has four lobes and fills the upper right side of the abdomen inside the rib cage. Three of the many important functions of the liver are:         - To filter harmful substances from the blood so they can be passed from the body in stools and urine.    - To make bile to help digest fat that comes from food.     - To store glycogen (sugar), which the body uses for energy.
                
                
                    There are two types of adult primary liver cancer.
                    The two types of adult primary liver cancer are:         -  Hepatocellular carcinoma.    -  Cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer). (See the PDQ summary on Bile Duct Cancer Treatment for more information.)        The most common type of adult primary liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma. This type of liver cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide.   This summary is about the treatment of primary liver cancer (cancer that begins in the liver). Treatment of cancer that begins in other parts of the body and spreads to the liver is not covered in this summary.    Primary liver cancer can occur in both adults and children. However, treatment for children is different than treatment for adults. (See the PDQ summary on Childhood Liver Cancer Treatment for more information.)