Basic information about hepatocellular carcinoma (hepatocellular carcinoma)

Hepatocellular carcinoma is a disease in which malignant (cancerous) cells form in the liver tissue.

The liver is one of the largest organs in the body; it has two lobes and is located in the right upper abdomen within the thorax. The liver has many important functions, three of which are:

Filtering harmful substances from the blood so that they can be excreted in the stool and urine.

Producing bile to help digest fats in food.

Storing glycogen (sugar) that supplies the body with energy. Anatomy of the liver; drawing shows the right and left lobes of the liver. Also shown are the bile ducts, gallbladder, stomach, spleen, Also shown are the bile ducts, gallbladder, stomach, spleen, pancreas, small intestine, and colon.

Anatomy of the liver; drawing shows the right and left lobes of the liver. Also shown are the bile ducts, gallbladder, stomach, spleen, Also shown are the bile ducts, gallbladder, stomach, spleen, pancreas, small intestine, and colon.

The anatomy of the liver. The liver is located in the upper abdomen near the stomach, intestine, gallbladder, and pancreas. The liver has a right lobe and a left lobe. Each liver lobe is divided into two parts (not shown).

See the PDQ summary for more information about hepatic (hepatocellular) carcinoma,

Prevention of hepatic (hepatocellular) carcinoma

Treatment of primary liver cancer in adults

Treatment of pediatric hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma is relatively uncommon in the United States compared to other parts of the world.

Although liver cancer is uncommon in the United States, it is still the fourth most common cancer worldwide. In the United States, men, especially Chinese American men, are at higher risk of developing liver cancer.

China is a major liver cancer country. Liver cancer is the fourth most common cancer in China, with men at higher risk of developing it.

Hepatitis and cirrhosis increase the risk of liver cancer.

Any factor that increases the chances of developing cancer is called a risk factor. Having a risk factor does not mean that you will get cancer; not having a risk factor does not mean that you will not get cancer. If you suspect that you have a risk factor for cancer, you should seek medical advice. Risk factors for liver cancer include:

Hepatitis B or C; higher risk with both hepatitis B and C.

Having cirrhosis of the liver, which is caused by.

hepatitis (especially hepatitis C); or

consecutive years of heavy alcohol consumption or abuse.

Consuming foods contaminated with aflatoxin (aflatoxin is a toxin produced by a fungus that grows in foods that have not been stored properly, such as grains and nuts).