Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common type of liver cancer. Because it often develops in people already managing liver disease, it requires experienced care. At Henry Ford Health, you’ll find advanced therapies, compassionate support and the expertise of a trusted program, all focused on helping you live as fully as possible.

What is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)?

HCC cancer starts in hepatocytes, the cells that carry out most of the liver’s work. When caught early, doctors may be able to remove HCC with surgery. However, it’s often found in later stages when traditional treatments aren’t an option. When you come to an experienced program like ours, you have access to additional therapies to manage the disease and help you feel your best.

Why choose Henry Ford Health for HCC treatment?

The best HCC cancer care comes from experts who work together to tailor treatments to your needs. At Henry Ford, you have access to every liver cancer specialist you could possibly need. Liver disease doctors (hepatologists), surgeons, oncologists and other clinicians guide your care. They meet regularly to plan every step so you receive connected care.

The Henry Ford difference:

• Liver-directed therapies: If surgery isn’t possible, you still have options. Treatments such as embolization, ablation and histotripsy target tumors directly in the liver while sparing healthy tissue. These therapies slow cancer growth and sometimes make surgery or transplant possible.
• Nurse navigator: A dedicated nurse navigator  helps schedule appointments, answers your questions and connects you with additional providers as needed. Most importantly, they are with you throughout your care journey, making sure you feel supported and know what to expect.
• Lifestyle support: For some people, stopping alcohol use is an important part of HCC treatment. At Henry Ford, psychiatrists who specialize in helping people with liver disease help you quit drinking safely and successfully.
• Care close to home: You don’t always need to travel to Detroit for HCC treatment. Many services, such as medical oncology, liver disease management and transplant-related therapies, are available at Henry Ford clinics across Michigan. This approach helps you receive expert care closer to where you live.

HCC treatment

Treatment for HCC depends on how advanced the cancer is, whether it has spread, and how well your liver works.

Your care plan may include:

• Liver-directed therapies: We use minimally invasive techniques to deliver treatment directly to the tumor. These therapies, which include ablation, embolization and histotripsy, may help when surgery or transplant isn’t possible.
• Surgery: Experts specializing in liver cancer surgery (resection) remove the part of the liver affected by cancer. We use minimally invasive and robotic methods whenever possible to protect nearby tissue and help you recover quickly.
• Liver transplant: When HCC is advanced or severely limits liver function, we remove the liver and replace it with a healthy donor organ. Henry Ford performs a high volume of transplants with excellent outcomes and uses pioneering techniques that are not widely available. Get more information about our liver transplant program.
• Radiation therapy: You have access to a variety of methods that target tumors that can’t be treated with surgery or liver-directed therapies. Care may include stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) that enables us to deliver high doses with precision while protecting healthy tissue. Find out more about radiation therapy.
• Systemic therapies: Oncologists use medicines like chemotherapy or targeted drugs that travel through your bloodstream to attack cancer cells. These treatments are especially important for advanced HCC or cancer that has spread. Explore medical oncology.

Hepatocellular carcinoma causes

HCC cancer usually develops when the liver has been damaged from chronic liver diseases, such as:

• Alcohol-related liver disease
• Chronic hepatitis B or C infections, which may stem from long-lasting viral hepatitis 
• Cirrhosis
• Fatty liver disease

HCC cancer symptoms

Hepatocellular carcinoma often causes no symptoms in early stages. Signs typically appear as the disease progresses and may include:

• Abdominal pain or swelling
• Appetite loss
• Easy bruising or bleeding
• Fatigue
• Jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes)
• Nausea or vomiting
• Unexplained weight loss

Screening and diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma

If you face a higher risk of HCC due to chronic liver disease, screening can help catch early signs. It typically involves:

• Ultrasound every six months
• Blood tests to check levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), a protein that increases when liver cancer is present

If you are experiencing HCC symptoms, we run testing to confirm the diagnosis:

• Advanced imaging with contrast CT or MRI to look for patterns typical of HCC
• Liver biopsy (taking a liver tissue sample and examining it under a microscope), when imaging does not provide a clear answer
• Liver function tests to measure how well the liver is working