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Liver cancer is a type of gastrointestinal cancer. When it starts in the cells of the liver, it is called primary liver cancer. Secondary cancer spreads (metastasizes) to the liver from another part of the body. Most often, when cancer is found in the liver, it didn’t begin there. Today, options for treating liver cancer, including radiation therapy, continue to advance. Throughout your cancer journey—from screening and diagnosis to treatment and survivorship—your medical care team is with you every step of the way.

Each year, more than 800,000 people worldwide are diagnosed with liver cancer.

Liver cancer is most common in Africa and Southeast Asia.

Unlike many types of cancer, doctors have a good sense of the factors that increase someone’s risk of developing liver cancer.

Liver cancer

Your treatment plan

There are different treatment options for liver cancer. Your treatment plan will depend on several factors, including the type, location, and size of the tumor as well as your age and general health.

The most common types of primary liver cancer are hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma).

Many patients are treated with various combinations of surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, ablation therapy, radioembolization, localized treatments, targeted therapy and immunotherapy.

Liver cancer

Radiation therapy treatment techniques

There are different types of radiation therapy—sometimes called radiotherapy or “RT”—for liver cancer, including:

Liver cancer

Possible side effects

Side effects are cumulative, which means they can develop over several weeks or months as the body responds to radiation. You can ask your radiation oncologist what you might expect from your specific treatment. Every patient’s treatment is different, but these are some common side effects of liver cancer radiation therapy:

  • Skin reaction where the radiation is given
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Loss of appetite

Radiation-induced liver disease (RILD) can be a more serious side effect of radiation therapy. It commonly occurs a few months after treatment and usually only lasts a set time. Ask your doctor what side effects to expect and how to relieve or prevent them.

Liver cancer

Your EBRT treatment journey

When it comes to preparing for your liver cancer treatment, knowledge is power. That includes knowing what to expect during your treatment journey so you can move forward one informed and empowered step at a time. Here is a brief outline of what you can expect during external beam radiation treatment. The details of some steps may differ, depending on your particular case.

Step 1: Consultation

First, you'll meet with your radiation oncologist to discuss what type of radiation treatment options are recommended for your specific case, and make a decision together about your treatment.

Step 2: Simulation

As part of your treatment planning, the exact area of the tumor must first be determined. This is usually done using a CT scan, short for computed tomography, providing a detailed 3-D image of the treatment area using x-rays. Sometimes temporary skin marks or even tiny tattoos (about the size of a freckle) are made on your body to help the radiation therapist position you correctly each day for treatment.

Step 3: Treatment planning

After simulation is complete, your treatment team will develop your personalized treatment plan, taking into account the location and type of cancer you have, your medical history, lab tests, and other factors—all to determine your best course of treatment. Typical treatment with radiation therapy will require you to come for treatment five days a week.

Step 4: Positioning for treatment

On your treatment days, your radiation therapist will position you on the radiation machine’s treatment couch with the help of a laser for alignment.

Step 5: Start of treatment

The radiation is delivered by a machine called a linear accelerator, or linac. Some linacs have a visible gantry, which will move around you, and other linacs have an enclosed gantry, which you will not see move, to deliver the radiation. You won’t see, hear, feel or smell the beam, in most cases. Treatment sessions usually take approximately 15 minutes. Your first treatment session may be a little longer.

Step 6: Post-treatment and follow-up care

Every patient is different, but most patients can continue daily activities during treatment, despite side effects such as fatigue. After your final treatment, your radiation oncologist will schedule periodic follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and the results of your treatment.

Liver cancer

Helpful resources for liver cancer

Questions to ask

Some important things you may want to find out from your doctor before undergoing treatment for liver cancer.

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