Liver Metastases

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Malignant, or cancerous, liver tumors fall into two types: primary or metastatic. Primary tumors originate in the liver itself. Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common type of primary liver cancer.

Metastatic, or secondary, liver tumors have spread to the liver from a cancer elsewhere in the body. Because one of the liver's main functions is to filter blood, cancer cells from other parts of the body may become lodged in the liver and become tumors. The most common type of metastatic liver tumors are those caused by colon cancer that has spread to the liver.

In this section, you can find information about our expertise in treating patients with metastatic liver tumors, our services, and our research.

Our Approach & Expertise
At Memorial Sloan-Kettering, a multidisciplinary team of doctors determines the most appropriate treatment for each patient with a metastases to the liver.
Overview
In the United States, cancer in the liver is most commonly the result of spread, or metastasis, from cancer in other parts of the body.
Symptoms
Many hepatobiliary tumors are silent and without symptoms. However, some symptoms may include jaundice, malaise, or a general feeling of poor health, loss of appetite, weight loss, fever, fatigue, bloating, swelling of the legs, weakness, or abdominal pain.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing liver cancer can be difficult since this part of the body is complex and includes several organs and major blood vessels.
Treatment
Metastatic liver cancer is most often treated by surgery. However, if a patient's cancer has spread to the liver, it may also have spread to other areas of the body.

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