Liver Cancer treatment, London

About Liver Cancer / Tumours

Malignant (cancerous) liver tumours can be either primary (the original site) or metastatic (secondary to another cancer somewhere else in the body). Primary tumours which originate in the liver can start from any of the different types of cells which normally exist in the liver.

Some primary tumours in the liver are non-cancerous (benign) and do not spread to other parts of the body and are usually small, causing no symptoms. Often discovered by chance during operations or investigations for other conditions, unless they are causing symptoms, they do not normally need to be removed.

Although primary liver cancer is quite rare in the UK and throughout the rest of the Western world, the number of people now developing this is increasing with approximately 2,500 people in the UK diagnosed each year. However, in countries such as tropical Africa and parts of Asia and the Middle East it is one of the most common types of cancer.

There are two types of primary liver cancer:

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or Hepatoma arises from the main cells of the liver known as the hepatocytes. Usually confined to the liver, it can occasionally spread to other organs. More common in men than women, HCC occurrs mostly in people with cirrhosis of the liver.

Cholangiocarcinoma (or bile duct cancer) starts in the cells lining the bile ducts and is more common in women. (The bile ducts are the tubes connecting the liver and gall bladder to the small intestine)

For gallbladder problems, the London Bridge Hospital and 31 Old Broad Street have a One Stop Gallstone Clinic to provide rapid advice, diagnosis and treatment please click here to download a Gallstone Clinic leaflet.

For those patients diagnosed with either Heptocellular cancer or Cholangiocarcinoma our experienced team provides specialised and holistic care, using as appropriate all the diagnostic skills outlined elsewhere on this website together with the latest technology advances.

Referrals for Liver Cancer Treatment at the London Liver Centre

For whatever reason your GP or local hospital Consultant refers you to the London Liver Centre, your medical details will be passed over along with your referral letter together with the results of any tests you may already have had performed . However, at your initial consultation with either one of our Consultant Hepatologists or Surgeons, you will be asked about your past medical history, and further imaging procedures will then be scheduled.

Although all of our Consultants are vastly experienced and are in demand as lecturers and tutors throughout the world, a diagnosis of liver cancer, of whatever kind, is never made in isolation. Patients are regularly reviewed at Multi-Disciplinary Meetings where a plan is formulated to make sure that the best possible care, for both newly diagnosed, and those already receiving treatment is given.