Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
ILLUSTRATION BY ROBERT MORREALE/VISUAL EXPLANATIONS, LLC. 2004 AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY.
A tumor can be cancerous or benign. A cancerous
tumor is malignant, meaning it can grow and spread
to other parts of the body. A benign tumor can grow
but will not spread. Primary liver cancer is cancer that
begins in the liver. About 80% of primary liver cancer is
hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Other types of primary
liver cancer include bile duct cancer and angiosarcoma,
a cancer of the blood vessels in the liver.
ASCO ANSWERS is a collection of oncologist-approved patient education materials developed by the American
Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) for people with cancer and their caregivers.
Questions to ask the health care team TERMS TO KNOW
Regular communication is important in making informed decisions about your health Benign:
care. Consider asking your health care team the following questions: A tumor that is not cancerous
What type of liver cancer do I have? Biopsy:
Do I have cirrhosis of the liver? What does this mean? Removal of a tissue sample that is
then examined under a microscope to
Do I have nonalcoholic fatty liver disease? What does this mean? check for cancer cells
Am I a carrier of the hepatitis B or C virus? What does this mean? Cirrhosis:
Can you explain my pathology report (laboratory test results) to me? Scarring of the liver due to damage
or long-term disease
What stage is the liver cancer? What does this mean?
Chemotherapy:
Can the tumor be removed surgically? Can I receive a liver transplant?
The use of drugs to destroy
Would you explain my treatment options? cancer cells
What clinical trials are available for me? Where are they located, and how do I find out more Hepatectomy:
about them? Surgical removal of the cancerous
What treatment plan do you recommend? Why? part of the liver
What is the goal of each treatment? Is it to eliminate the cancer, help me feel better, or both? Lymph node:
A tiny, bean-shaped organ that fights
Who will be part of my treatment team, and what does each member do?
infection
How will this treatment affect my daily life? Will I be able to work, exercise, and perform my
usual activities? Malignant:
A tumor that is cancerous
What long-term side effects may be associated with my cancer treatment?
Metastasis:
If Im worried about managing the costs of cancer care, who can help me? The spread of cancer from where it
Where can I find emotional support for me and my family? began to another part of the body
Find more questions to ask the health care team at www.cancer.net/liver. For a digital list of Prognosis:
questions, download Cancer.Nets free mobile app at www.cancer.net/app. Chance of recovery
Radiation therapy:
The use of high-energy x-rays to
The ideas and opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the American Society of Clinical
destroy cancer cells
Oncology (ASCO) or The Conquer Cancer Foundation. The information in this fact sheet is not intended as medical or
Tumor:
legal advice, or as a substitute for consultation with a physician or other licensed health care provider. Patients with
health care-related questions should call or see their physician or other health care provider promptly and should not An abnormal growth of body tissue
disregard professional medical advice, or delay seeking it, because of information encountered here. The mention of
any product, service, or treatment in this fact sheet should not be construed as an ASCO endorsement. ASCO is not
Viral hepatitis:
responsible for any injury or damage to persons or property arising out of or related to any use of ASCOs patient Inflammation of the liver caused by
education materials, or to any errors or omissions. a virus