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Macmillan and Cancerbackup merged in 2008. Together we provide free, high quality information for people affected by cancer through our publications, website and phone service. Find out more|.
Find out how we produce our information|
This is cancer that has started somewhere else in the body and has spread to the liver.
The most common types of cancer that spread to the liver start in the bowel|, breast|, pancreas|, stomach|, lung|, ovary| or skin| (melanoma).
If you have secondary liver cancer you may find it helpful to read this section together with the section about your primary cancer (where the cancer started).
Sometimes, secondary cancer is found in the liver and yet, even with thorough medical tests, it’s not possible to find out where the cancer started. This is sometimes known as cancer of unknown primary|.
Occasionally cancer can start in the liver and this is known as primary liver cancer|. Primary liver cancer is relatively rare while secondary liver cancer is much more common.
For answers, support or just a chat, call the Macmillan Support Line free (Monday to Friday, 9am-8pm)
If you have any questions about cancer, need support or just want someone to talk to, ask Macmillan.