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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|
Usually, treatment is aimed at controlling the cancer for as long as possible and reducing any symptoms|.
The choice of treatment for secondary cancer in the liver depends on:
Chemotherapy| is the main treatment for secondary cancer in the liver. If chemotherapy worked well for the primary cancer, then it will usually work well for secondary cancer in the liver. Sometimes chemotherapy is given before liver surgery to make it more successful.
Surgery| is used for a small number of people. It’s usually only possible for people where the cancer has spread into the liver from a cancer in the bowel|. It’s most commonly used if the cancer cells affect a few areas of the liver and there is no cancer anywhere else in the body. In this situation, it’s sometimes possible to cure the cancer.
If the secondary cancer is affecting many areas of the liver, it may not be possible to remove all of the cancer cells with surgery, so other treatments| may be used instead of, or in addition to, surgery.
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)| may be used as a treatment for people with liver secondaries from the bowel - and occasionally other primary sites - who’ve already had surgery or who are not fit enough to have surgery.
Radiotherapy is not usually used to treat secondary cancer in the liver. However, it may be used to relieve symptoms| of pain, discomfort and sickness.
Hormonal therapies| are sometimes used, usually for a cancer that started in the breast|.
Biological therapies| and newer treatments are sometimes used to treat liver secondaries from the bowel and breast. They may be combined with other treatments, such as chemotherapy and surgery.
Some people with secondary liver cancer may not be fit enough to have the treatments described here. Others may decide not to have treatment if it’s unlikely to shrink their cancer or has too many side effects.
If this describes your situation, there are other supportive or palliative therapies that can help to control your symptoms| and improve your quality of life.
We have more information in our sections on Coping with advanced cancer| and Controlling the symptoms of cancer|.
In most hospitals a team of specialists will discuss with you the treatment they feel is best for your situation. This multidisciplinary team (MDT) will normally include:
Other staff will also be available to help you if necessary, such as a:
Your doctor or nurse specialist will also talk to you about the best treatment for your particular situation, or they may offer you a choice of treatments. If you have to decide between treatments, make sure that you have enough information about each treatment option, so that you can decide which is right for you. You may find it helps to ask questions about what is involved with each treatment and the possible side effects they may cause.
If you have any questions about your treatment, don’t be afraid to ask your doctor or the nurse looking after you. It often helps to make a list of the questions you want to ask, and to take a close relative or friend with you, to help you remember what is discussed.
Your multidisciplinary team (MDT) uses national treatment guidelines to decide the most suitable treatment for you. Even so, you may want another medical opinion.
If you feel it will be helpful, you can ask either your specialist or GP to refer you to another specialist for a second opinion. Getting a second opinion may delay the start of your treatment, so you and your doctor need to be confident that it will give you useful information.
If you do go for a second opinion, it may be a good idea to take a relative or friend with you, and have a list of questions ready, so that you can make sure your concerns are covered during the discussion.
Before you have any treatment, your doctor will explain the aims of the treatment to you. They will usually ask you to sign a form saying that you give your permission (consent) for the hospital staff to give you the treatment. No medical treatment can be given without your consent, and before you are asked to sign the form you should be given full information about:
If you don’t understand what you have been told, let the staff know straight away so that they can explain again. Some cancer treatments are complex, so it is not unusual for people to need repeated explanations.
It’s often a good idea to have a relative or friend with you when the treatment is explained, to help you remember the discussion more fully. You may also find it useful to write down a list of questions before you go to your appointment.
Patients often feel that the hospital staff are too busy to answer their questions, but it is important for you to be aware of how the treatment is likely to affect you. The staff should be willing to make time for you to ask questions.
You can always ask for more time to decide about the treatment if you feel that you can’t make a decision when it’s first explained to you.
You are also free to choose not to have the treatment. The staff can explain what may happen if you do not have it. It’s essential to tell a doctor or the nurse in charge, so that they can record your decision in your medical notes. You don’t have to give a reason for not wanting to have treatment, but it can be helpful to let the staff know your concerns so they can give you the best advice.
Many people are frightened at the idea of having cancer treatments, particularly because of the side effects that may occur. Although many of the treatments can cause side effects, these can usually be controlled with medicines.
Treatment can be given for different reasons and the potential benefits will vary depending upon your individual situation.
For many people with secondary cancer in the liver, the treatment will only be able to control it, leading to an improvement in symptoms and a better quality of life. However, for some people in this situation the treatment will have no effect upon the cancer and they’ll get the side effects with little benefit.
For a few people with secondary cancer in the liver, the treatment will aim to cure the cancer. It’s important to discuss the aims of your treatment with your doctors.
If you’ve been offered treatment that aims to cure your cancer, deciding whether to accept the treatment may not be difficult. However, if a cure isn’t possible and the treatment is to control the cancer for a period of time, it may be more difficult to decide whether to go ahead with treatment.
Making decisions about treatment in these circumstances is always difficult, and you may need to discuss in detail with your doctor whether you wish to have treatment. If you choose not to, you can still be given supportive (palliative) care, with medicines to control any symptoms.
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.