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Primary cancerous lesions of the liver: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025
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Fibrolamellar carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, hepatoblastoma, and angiosarcoma are relatively rare. A biopsy is usually required to confirm the diagnosis.
The prognosis is usually poor. In some cases, localized tumors can be resected. Patient survival may be improved by liver resection or transplantation.
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Fibrolamellar liver carcinoma
Fibrolamellar carcinoma is a variant of hepatocellular carcinoma with the characteristic morphology of malignant hepatocytes embedded in lamellar fibrous tissue. The tumor usually develops at a young age and is not associated with previous or existing liver cirrhosis, HBV or HCV infections, or other known risk factors. AFP levels are rarely elevated. The prognosis is more favorable than with hepatocellular carcinoma, and many patients survive for several years after tumor resection.
Cholangiocarcinoma
Cholangiocarcinoma is a tumor originating from the bile duct epithelium, is common in China, and is thought to be caused by liver fluke invasion. However, it is less common than hepatocellular carcinoma. Histologically, a combination of the two diseases may occur. Patients with long-standing ulcerative colitis and sclerosing cholangitis have an increased risk of developing cholangiocarcinoma.
Hepatoblastoma
Hepatoblastoma is a rare tumor, but it is one of the most common primary liver cancers in newborns, especially in cases of familial adenomatous polyposis. The tumor can also develop in children. Hepatoblastoma sometimes manifests itself in early puberty caused by ectopic gonadotropin production, but this is usually detected when the general condition worsens and a space-occupying lesion is detected in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen. An increase in the AFP level and changes in instrumental examination help in making the diagnosis.
Angiosarcoma of the liver
Angiosarcoma is a rare tumor and its development is associated with certain chemical carcinogens, including industrial vinyl chloride.
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