Liver Metastases Treatment

Treatment for liver metastasis should be highly individualized. Your treatment plan will depend on several factors, including:

• How much the cancer has spread (number and size of metastases)
• Type of cancer that has spread to the liver
• Your overall health
• Your personal preferences and treatment goals

We may recommend:

• Ablation: During this procedure, a specialist inserts a thin needle into the tumor. They deliver a high-energy current to destroy cancer cells. We use advanced imaging technology to guide the needle for the most precise delivery.
• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is medication that is injected or taken orally to destroy cancer cells. It can cause numerous side effects, which your care team will help you prevent or manage.
• Embolization: During this procedure, the doctor injects a substance into blood vessels to block or reduce blood supply to a tumor. The most common type of embolization we perform is hepatic arterial radioembolization. This treatment injects high doses of specialized radiation beads straight into the parts of the liver where cancer is present.
• Radiation therapy: Radiation uses high-energy rays or particles to destroy cancer cells. This treatment can slow or control a tumor’s growth, shrink a tumor before surgery, destroy remaining cancer cells after surgery or ease symptoms. Memorial offers several types of radiation therapy.
• Surgery: Surgery is typically the preferred treatment for liver metastases if able to be performed. The liver has the ability to regenerate (regrow). In certain cases, this can allow for a large portion of the liver to be removed in order to eliminate all metastases.

Palliative Care for Metastatic Liver Cancer

Palliative care experts can help you and your loved ones navigate metastatic cancer. They improve your quality of life by easing pain, symptoms and side effects of treatment. They also help you understand your options so you can make informed treatment decisions.

Palliative care is not the same as hospice care, which is provided at the end of life. You can receive palliative care during cancer treatment. If you choose to focus on quality of life rather than cure, our palliative care experts can help you prepare for what’s next.

Liver Metastases Care: Why Choose Memorial Cancer Institute?

When you come to Memorial for treatment of cancer that has spread to the liver, you’ll find:

• Trusted experts: Our oncologists and surgeons are board certified and fellowship trained in liver (hepatic) disease. They stay up to date on the latest treatment approaches for metastatic cancer in the liver. Meet our team.
• Collaborative care: At Memorial, multiple specialists work together throughout your diagnosis and treatment to create a comprehensive care plan.
• High-volume center: Memorial helps many people with metastatic cancer every year. Our extensive experience means we know the most effective ways to improve survival and quality of life. We also have a deep understanding of what you and your loved ones are going through.
• Center of Excellence: Memorial is one of only a few institutions in Florida designated as a Cancer Center of Excellence by the Department of Health.
• Supportive care: People coping with metastatic liver cancer often need additional support and integrative medicine. At Memorial, your team may include palliative care experts and psychologists to help you and your family understand the condition and make important decisions.