Metastatic Liver Cancer

What Are Liver Metastases?

Liver secondaries, metastatic liver cancer, or liver metastases, is a medical condition that occurs when cancerous cells have spread (metastasised) to the liver from any other part of the body. As such, these tumours may develop either right after the development of the original tumour or months or several years later.

Metastatic liver cancer cells are made up of the same types of cancerous cells as the primary organ cancer.

What Are the Common Cancers
That Cause Liver Metastases?

The risk of spreading cancer to the liver depends on the primary cancer and its stage at diagnosis. Some primary cancers are more likely to spread to the liver, and are listed as follows:

  • Colon and rectum
  • Pancreas
  • Breast
  • Ovaries and uterus
  • Lung
  • Kidney
  • Oesophagus
  • Stomach
  • Colon and rectum
  • Pancreas
  • Breast
  • Ovaries and uterus
  • Lung
  • Kidney
  • Oesophagus
  • Stomach
What Are the Symptoms of Liver Metastases?

There are usually no symptoms in the early stages of liver metastases. In later stages, patients suffering from liver metastases can develop symptoms related to liver swelling, such as:

What Are the Treatments for Liver Metastases?

Before treating liver metastases, a multi-disciplinary team, typically including a liver surgeon and medical oncologist, will consider several factors, including:

  • Patient’s overall health
  • Type of primary cancer
  • Size, location, and number of metastatic liver tumours

Thereafter, the medical team will develop a treatment plan. Therapeutic options include systemic therapies and procedures such as:

  • Chemotherapy: In this treatment, drugs are used to kill the cancerous cells.
  • Targeted Therapy: The method uses drugs along with other agents (including monoclonal antibodies). These antibodies attach to specific parts of the cancerous cells to enable treatment targeting with radiation and drugs or by obstructing the growth of cancerous cells.
  • Immunotherapy: This treatment involves the use of certain vaccines, antibodies, and growth factors to restore or boost the patient’s immune system to fight against cancer effectively.
  • Hormonal Therapy: In this procedure, a doctor removes, adds, or blocks hormones to stop or slow down the growth of tumours.
  • Localised Therapies: In this procedure, a doctor mainly targets the tumour cells (or nearby tissue). These therapies are used if the cancer is detected in the early stages and is small.
  • Surgery: Surgical removal of the tumour(s) is/are possible when complete liver metastases removal is feasible with sufficient remaining liver volume.
  • Radiation Therapy: This procedure uses high-energy radiation to shrink tumours and destroy cancer cells. This can be done with external beam radiation (including proton-beam) or internal radiation.
Even if a primary cancer is removed or thought to be cured, liver metastasis
can still occur years later! We can help with a complete liver assessment if new
symptoms develop, especially unexplained weight loss and abdominal discomfort.
Specialised Expertise
for your Liver Health

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Mount Elizabeth Orchard

6737 8878

Gleneagles Hospital

6475 1488

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The address is:
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#10-09 Far East Shopping Centre
Singapore 238882

All medical services continue as usual at our four clinics.

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Senior Consultant Surgeon

Senior Consultant Surgeon

Mount Elizabeth Orchard

6737 8878

Gleneagles Hospital

6475 1488

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Mount Elizabeth Orchard

6737 8878

Gleneagles Hospital

6475 1488