Living with Adult hepatocellular carcinoma
A rare liver cancer with one or many nodules in the liver, most often in people with long-term liver disease.
Understanding Adult hepatocellular carcinoma
Most tumors are linked to long-term liver disease, such as hepatitis B or C or steatohepatitis, or to exposure to certain outside agents. People may have symptoms from the tumor as well as from the underlying liver condition. GARD lists the onset as adulthood and older adulthood.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD's summary says common ones include:
- Pain in the upper right belly
- Weight loss
- Enlarged liver and spleen
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
- Fluid in the belly (ascites)
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include cancer specialists and digestive system specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Cancer specialists (oncologists); Digestive system specialists (gastroenterologists)
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with American Cancer Society
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD says most tumors are linked to long-term liver disease, such as hepatitis B or C or steatohepatitis, or to exposure to a variety of outside agents.
Also known as: adult hcc; adult hcc (hepatocellular carcinoma); adult hepatoma; adult primary carcinoma of liver cell; adult primary carcinoma of the liver cell; adult primary hepatocellular carcinoma
Patient organizations
- American Cancer SocietyAdult hepatocellular carcinoma · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Adult hepatocellular carcinoma.
Explore research for Adult hepatocellular carcinoma
Explore actively recruiting Adult hepatocellular carcinoma studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Adult hepatocellular carcinoma with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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