Types of primary liver cancer

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer. It’s sometimes known as hepatoma and affects the main cells of the liver called hepatocytes. HCC is usually confined to the liver, although occasionally it spreads to other organs. It’s more common in men and occurs mostly in people with a type of liver disease called cirrhosis|.

A rare sub-type of HCC called fibrolamellar HCC can occur in younger people and isn’t related to previous liver disease.

Cholangiocarcinoma

This type of cancer starts in the cells that line the bile duct and is sometimes called bile duct cancer. Cholangiocarcinoma| is more common in women than in men.

Rare types of liver cancer

There are two rare types of primary liver cancer:

• Angiosarcomas develop in the blood vessels of the liver and are sometimes known as haemangiosarcomas. They tend to occur in people over 70.
• Hepatoblastomas are very rare and usually affect young children under three.

Benign liver tumours

Some primary tumours in the liver are benign (non-cancerous). They are usually small and may not cause symptoms. They are often discovered by chance during operations or investigations for other conditions. Unless they are causing symptoms, they don’t usually need to be removed. Benign liver tumours do not turn into cancer.