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Types of liver cancer

Two primary liver cancers, hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma, originate in different liver cells, while less common types like angiosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma, and hepatoblastoma affect specific cell types or age groups.

There are 2 main types of cancer that start in the liver (called primary liver cancer). These are named after the part of the liver in which the cancer first develops:

  • Hepatocellular carcinoma starts in the main cells of the liver (called hepatocytes); it is the most common type of primary liver cancer
  • Cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) begins in cells that line the bile duct.

Less common types of primary liver cancer include:[1]

  • angiosarcoma and hemangiosarcoma, very rare types of liver cancer that start in the blood vessels
  • hepatoblastoma, a very rare type of liver cancer that only affects children younger than 4 years old.

References

  1. National Cancer Institute (US), Liver- Patient  Version
  2. National Cancer Institute (US), Bile Duct Cancer (Cholangiocarcinoma) - Patient  Version

When reading materials that are published in other countries, note that some of the information may not apply to Australian patients.

Last updated 24 September 2024
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