Common Types of Liver Cancer: Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Others

oncare team
Updated on Aug 5, 2025 11:56 IST

By Raveena M Prakash

Liver cancer is a life-threatening disease that usually begins in the liver. The liver is a vital organ generally responsible for detoxifying blood, producing bile, and even storing some essential nutrients. One of the most common types of liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but there are several lesser-known types of liver cancers that also need equal attention. 

Understanding different types of liver cancer can help you with early diagnosis, accurate diagnosis, and effective treatment planning.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common type of cancer in the liver. It generally starts in the liver cells called hepatocytes. HCC usually accounts for about 85% to 90% of all primary cancers. HCC is the sixth most common type of cancer diagnosis and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths across the world.

This type of cancer mostly develops in people with chronic liver conditions like cirrhosis caused by hepatitis B or C infection. 

Key characteristics and features:

  • This cancer is often silent in the early stages.
  • Some of the main symptoms include abdominal pain, weight loss, and jaundice.
  • HCC can spread rapidly if not caught in the early stages.
  • Treatments may include surgery, liver transplant, and targeted therapy.

Cholangiocarcinoma

Cholangiocarcinoma is a rare and aggressive type of cancer that usually starts in the bile ducts. The bile ducts are generally thin ducts that are supposed to bring bile from the liver and gallbladder to the small intestine, which aids in digestion.

There are mainly three types of cholangiocarcinoma:

  • Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma(ICC): This is the second most common type of cancer affecting the liver. This type of cancer accounts for approximately 10% of all cholangiocarcinomas.
  • Perihilar (hilar) cholangiocarcinoma: This is another type of bile duct cancer that occurs at the junction of both hepatic ducts, which is just outside the liver.
  • Distal cholangiocarcinoma: This is a type of bile duct cancer that usually starts outside of the liver, which is closer to the small intestine. This is a rare, uncommon type of cancer that accounts for almost 20 to 40% of all bile duct cancers.

Hepatoblastoma

Hepatoblastoma is a rare cancer that affects children. Children ages 1 to 3 are reported to develop this rare condition of cancer. Studies and many reports suggest that 1 million children in the US are affected by this type of condition. 

Early diagnosis and surgery help to remove the cancerous tumors effectively. Liver transplant is another option used by many healthcare providers.

Key characteristics and features:

  • This type of cancer is typically found in infants and toddlers.
  • Symptoms may appear as an abdominal lump or swelling.
  • It has high survival rates if diagnosed in the early stage.
  • Treatment options may include surgery and chemotherapy.

Angiosarcoma

Angiosarcoma is a rare and aggressive type of cancer that originates in the blood vessels of the liver. This type of cancer is more common in older adults, and it is often closely associated with the exposure to certain industrial chemicals such as vinyl chloride and arsenic.

Key characteristics and features:

  • Rapid onset cancer progression 
  • It’s highly difficult to treat because of its widespread growth. 
  • Some of the symptoms may include pain, fatigue, and bleeding.
  • It often requires palliative care due to the limited treatment options.

Secondary metastatic liver cancer

Secondary metastatic liver cancer is also referred to as liver metastasis. This is not a primary type of liver cancer. Metastatic cancer majorly originates in other parts of the body, such as the colon, breast, or lung, and it usually spreads to the liver. Metastatic cancer in the liver is different from primary cancer, which usually originates in the liver itself.

Key characteristics and features

  • This cancer is far more common than liver cancer.
  • This type of cancer is usually treated based on the primary cancer cause.
  • It is often identified during cancer staging or routine imaging.

Diagnosis and treatment options

A healthcare provider uses various tests and physical examinations to diagnose liver cancer. The doctor might ask about your previous medical history and perform the following tests.

These may include:

  • Angiogram
  • Blood tests
  • CT Scan
  • ERCP Test
  • Liver biopsy
  • Liver ultrasound
  • MRIs

A doctor might perform a liver biopsy if blood and other tests diagnose cancer in the liver. Biopsies are the most reliable and standard diagnostic method to confirm the liver cancer diagnosis in a suspected patient.

How do healthcare providers treat liver cancer?

A healthcare provider might use these treatment options for the cure of cancer. Treatments can vary depending on the type and stage of the cancer in patients.

These may include:

  • Chemotherapy
  • Chemoembolization
  • Immunotherapy
  • Radiation therapy
  • Radioembolization
  • Targeted therapy

Surgical treatments may include:

  • Ablation
  • Hepatectomy
  • Liver transplantation

Risk factors

The most common risk factor for this cancer is long-term infection with hepatitis B or hepatitis C. These infections can cause liver cirrhosis in high-risk people. Liver cirrhosis can often lead to cancer. Some other health concerns may influence the risk of developing cancer in the liver.

These may include:

  • Excessive alcohol consumption
  • Metabolic dysfunction- associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)
  • Obesity
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Tobacco use
  • Long-term exposure to aflatoxins
  • Genetic disorders like hemochromatosis

Consult Today

Liver cancer has different types, while hepatocellular carcinoma remains the most significant type. There are different cancers, like hepatic angiosarcoma, intrahepatic cancer, and hepatoblastoma, that require equal awareness. Understanding the differences can make a huge difference in timely diagnosis and effective treatments that could be life-saving for people.

At Oncare, we offer premium-quality cancer treatments including advanced cancer surgeries at affordable price ranges with an experiencing a cancer specialist consultation.

If you or any loved ones of yours are diagnosed with cancer, then visit Oncare Cancer Center and book an appointment with our cancer specialist. Get an estimated cost of your cancer treatments today!

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