 Health Guide Drug Guide Images Liver metastasesDefinitionLiver metastases is cancer that has spread to the liver from somewhere else in the body. See also: Hepatocellular carcinoma Alternative NamesMetastases to the liver CausesCancers that may spread to the liver include:
Cancer cells often have aggressive tendencies and will invade other areas of the body. They usually do this by floating in the bloodstream and then multiplying themselves in a new place. Where and how cancer cells spread varies. It depends both on blood flow and on the characteristics of the different cancer cells. For example, cancers of the GI tract often spread to the liver because their blood drains directly through the liver. Melanoma usually spreads through the body's blood vessels to the liver. The risk of cancer spreading to the liver depends on the site of the original cancer. The liver cancer may also be present when the original (primary) cancer is diagnosed, or it may occur months or years after the primary tumor is removed. SymptomsIn some cases, there are no symptoms. When symptoms occur, they may include:
Exams and TestsTests that may be done to diagnose liver metastases include:
TreatmentTreatment depends on:
When the cancer has spread to the liver and other organs, whole-body (systemic) chemotherapy is usually used. When the spread is limited to the liver, systemic chemotherapy may still be used. However, other treatment methods may be effective. When the tumor is only in a few areas of the liver, the cancer may be removed with surgery. The use of radiofrequency waves or injection of toxic substances may also be used to kill tumors. When larger areas of the liver are involved, treatment may involve chemotherapy directly into the liver, or a procedure to block blood flow to parts of the liver (embolization) to "starve" the tumor cells. Outlook (Prognosis)How well patients do depends on the location of the original cancer and how much it has spread to the liver. In a small number of cases, surgery to remove the liver tumors may lead to a cure. This is usually only possible in patients with certain tumor types (for example, colorectal cancer), and when there are a limited number of tumors in the liver. In most cases, cancer that has spread to the liver is not curable. Patients with metastatic cancer to the liver usually die of their disease eventually. However, the treatments discussed above may help shrink tumors, improve life expectancy, and relieve symptoms. Possible ComplicationsComplications are generally the result of tumors spreading to a large area of the liver. They can include:
When to Contact a Medical ProfessionalCall your health care provider if you have cancer and suspect that it has spread to the liver. Anyone who has had a type of cancer that can spread to the liver should be aware of the signs and symptoms listed above, and call a physician if any of these develop. PreventionEarly detection of some types of cancer may prevent the spread of these cancers to the liver. ReferencesKemeny N, Kemeny M, Dawson L. Liver metastases. In: Abeloff MD, Armitage JO, Niederhuber JE, Kastan MB, McKenna WG, eds. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2008:chap 59.
Review Date:
9/4/2008 Reviewed By: Sean O. Stitham, MD, private practice in Internal Medicine, Seattle, Washington; and James R. Mason, MD, Oncologist, Director, Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program and Stem Cell Processing Lab, Scripps Clinic, Torrey Pines, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-
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