The prognosis for liver cancer depends on multiple factors such as the size of the liver cancer, the number of lesions, the presence of spread beyond the liver, the health of the surrounding liver tissue, and the general health of the patient. Life expectancy depends on many factors that impact whether a cancer is curable.The American Cancer Society states the overall five-year survival rate for all stages of liver cancer is 15%. One of the reasons for this low survival rate is that many people with liver cancer also have other underlying medical conditions such as cirrhosis. However, the five-year survival rate can vary depending on how much the liver cancer has spread.If the liver cancer is localized (confined to the liver), the five-year survival rate is 28%. If the liver cancer is regional (has grown into nearby organs), the five-year survival rate is 7%. Once the liver cancer is distant (spread to distant organs or tissues), the survival time is as low as two years.Survival rate can also be affected by the available treatments. Liver cancers that can be surgically removed have an improved five-year survival rate of over 50%. When caught in the earliest stages, and the liver is transplanted, the five-year survival rate can be as high as 70%.Primary liver cancer deaths are usually from liver failure, bleeding, or advanced cancer.