A team of medical specialists, nurses and other health professionals is likely to coordinate your liver cancer treatment. The type of treatment you are given will depend on the stage of your cancer and your overall health, medical history, age and personal preferences. Often a combination of therapies is used. Treatment options include destroying or slowing the growth of cancer through heating or freezing (ablation) or surgery to remove the cancer. The growth of cancer can also be slowed or stopped with chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Tumour ablation Radiofrequency ablation is used mainly for small primary tumours. The doctor uses high frequency radio waves and microwaves. Thin needles are inserted into the tumour and heat is generated by the current. The heat destroys cancer cells. Less commonly, the doctor might insert a special probe into the tumour and release liquid nitrogen to freeze it (called cryotherapy). Pure alcohol can also be injected to kill the cancer cells. Radiation therapy Your doctor may suggest selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT or radioembolisation) if surgery is not possible. Using a thin tube inserted into an artery, the doctor releases tiny radioactive beads (microspheres) into the liver. These beads block the blood supply to the tumour and deliver high-dose radiation. Chemotherapy and TACE Chemotherapy uses drugs to stop, shrink or slow the cancer. If your liver cancer has spread or you have secondary cancer, chemotherapy may be given through a vein to treat the whole body. This also affects healthy cells. If you have primary cancer, you may be offered ‘transarterial chemoembolisation’ (TACE), a more targeted form of chemotherapy. The doctor inserts a tube into an artery supplying the liver to deliver a concentrated dose of anti-tumour drugs. A substance is also used to partly block the artery, starving the cancer cells of blood. Surgery Surgery is only suitable for a single tumour that has not grown into blood vessels. The type of surgery will depend on the size and location of the liver cancer. Surgery is mainly used to remove small primary tumours. Surgery to remove part of the liver is called partial hepatectomy. The liver can still work well even if up to 80% has been surgically removed. It has a remarkable ability to recover and can grow again after surgery. If the whole liver needs to be removed, you may be offered a liver transplant. You will need to continue your cancer treatment as it can take months or years to get a suitable donor liver. Biological therapy There are treatments that stop cancer cells growing or working, or help the body’s own immune system to destroy them. Biological therapy can be used for both primary and secondary liver cancers. Endoscopic stent placement If there is a build up of bile in the liver, because the cancer is blocking a bile duct, you may need a thin tube (stent) placed in the liver to drain the bile. Palliative care If you have advanced or late-stage liver cancer, you may opt to have palliative care instead of trying to cure the disease. This can help reduce your symptoms, relieve pain and improve your quality of life. Looking after yourself If you have liver cancer, try to eat healthy food and stay active during treatment. Complementary therapies such as remedial massage may assist. Relaxation techniques can reduce anxiety and improve your mood. Before agreeing to any treatments, discuss the benefits and risks. Be prepared to ask for a second opinion from another specialist or doctor. Call the Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20 for information and assistance.