More than 500 men and 330 women die from the disease each year. Early in the disease, liver cancer does not show any obvious signs or symptoms. As the tumor grows, symptoms may develop. Cancer of the liver is more common in older people. Over half of people newly diagnosed with liver cancer in New York State are age 65 and over.
Liver cancer is more common in men than in women.
It also occurs more frequently among African-Americans than among whites. At this time, scientists do not know exactly what causes cancer of the liver. There are several different types of liver cancer. Long-term use of anabolic steroids can also increase the risk of getting liver cancer. Studies show that workers exposed to vinyl chloride during the manufacturing of some plastics have an increased risk of getting liver cancer.