Secondary liver cancer

We understand that this can be a difficult time for you, and we’ll make sure you can get the expert care you need without delay. Most people with secondary liver cancer are diagnosed after knowing they have primary cancer somewhere else.

In some cases, secondary liver cancer may be found before you’ve been diagnosed with primary cancer. If the primary cancer can’t be found, you may hear this called a “cancer of unknown primary”. This might be because it’s too small to be detected, it’s hidden behind a secondary tumour or your immune system removed it.

Doctors typically diagnose secondary liver cancer with a combination of tests. Tests for secondary liver cancer that are available at GenesisCare include:

• Blood test
• Ultrasound scan
• MRI scan
• CT scan
• PET-CT scan
• X-ray
• Biopsy

Secondary liver cancer can cause a range of symptoms, and there are treatments we can offer to help alleviate these and improve your quality of life. Your consultant will monitor your health and wellbeing to provide you with care that’s personalised to your needs and choices.

Secondary liver cancer symptoms aren’t always obvious. In some cases, you may not know you have the condition until it is found during a routine test for something else. Possible signs of secondary liver cancer can include:

• Loss of appetite
• Feeling full after eating small amounts
• Fatigue
• A general feeling of being unwell
• Nausea
• Pain on the right side of your body under your ribs
• Jaundice – yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes
• A build-up of fluid in the abdomen, known as ascites

• Hormone therapy – a range of different treatments which lower hormone levels to control secondary liver cancers from the breast
• Chemotherapy – anti-cancer (cytotoxic) drugs that destroy the cancerous cells
• Targeted therapy – a specialised group of drugs that attack or block certain processes in the cancer cells
• Immunotherapy – therapies that help your body’s immune system recognise and fight the cancer

Radiotherapy uses high-energy radiation beams which are targeted at the cancer cells. For secondary liver cancers, it can help control pain.

At GenesisCare, we use advanced radiotherapy techniques such as stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) to treat secondary liver cancer. SABR maximises the delivery of radiation to the cancer, while the surrounding healthy tissues receive a much lower dose, reducing the risk of side effects when compared to other conventional radiotherapy treatments. You may also be able to have SABR to an area of the liver that has previously been treated with radiotherapy. This is known as SABR reirradiation or repeat SABR. This type of treatment is delivered using the MRIdian MR Linac. Find out more about the MRIdian.

Surgery isn’t suitable for all secondary liver cancer patients. Eligibility depends on the number and size of secondary liver tumours, where your cancer has spread from, and whether your cancer has spread to other parts of your body as well as your liver. Your surgeon will discuss this with you. Surgery for secondary liver cancer will be arranged conveniently at one of our partner hospitals, your other treatments can then continue at GenesisCare.

Ablation uses radio waves or microwaves to destroy the tumour. You may be suitable for secondary liver cancer ablation if you have few small tumours or if other forms of treatment aren’t suitable for you. This could be due to the position of the cancer, making surgery difficult, or you may not be well enough to have surgery.

We understand living with cancer can feel overwhelming. That’s why we have partnered with the charity, Penny Brohn UK, to provide personalised wellbeing therapies, such as acupuncture, massage and counselling, to support you throughout this challenging time.

Some of our centres also offer a tailored evidence-based exercise medicine programme, proven to help some people improve treatment tolerance, function, fatigue and quality of life. If you choose to take part, one of our highly trained physiotherapists will provide you with a personalised program of exercises that are adapted to your abilities, goals and diagnosis.

Our dedicated cancer centres are convenient and easy-to-access. You can use your private medical insurance, and we’re recognised by all leading insurers.

We are proud that so many patients rate our care as excellent as we help them through their cancer journey. Find out more about the unique experiences of people who have had their cancer diagnosis or treatment at GenesisCare in our patient stories section.

• Cancer Research UK 
• Macmillan Cancer Support 
• NHS England