Living with liver cancer
There are organisations, support groups, books, videos and other resources to help you cope with liver cancer and treatment.
Cancer Research UK is the largest cancer research organisation in the world outside the USA. We fund research on all aspects of cancer from its causes to prevention and treatment.
We are committed to producing high quality information for people affected by cancer. As well as looking at the information on this website you can call our nurse freephone helpline on 0808 800 4040. They are available from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Or you can send them a question online.
Contact our cancer information nurses
Cancer Chat is our online forum where you can share experiences.
This charity produces information and leaflets about liver cancer and other liver diseases. They also provide details of local support groups and run a helpline.
British Liver Trust Venta Court 20 Jewry Street Winchester SO23 8FE
Email: helpline@britishlivertrust.org.uk Helpline: 0800 652 7330 (9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday)
Guts UK produce information and leaflets on common digestive diseases and illnesses. This includes information about cancer of the bowel, food pipe (oesophagus) and stomach.
Helpline: 0300 102 4887 (open Monday to Friday, 10am until 2pm) Email: helpline@gutscharity.org.uk
The NHS blood and transplant service have information about liver transplants. This includes details about waiting lists, the transplant procedure and life after a transplant.
Macmillan Cancer Support is a charity that gives practical and medical support to people with cancer in the UK. Its helpline offers support with clinical, emotional, general and welfare benefits needs. They also publish booklets about cancer and treatments. Information is available in other languages.
Freephone: 0808 808 00 00 (7 days a week, 8am to 8pm) Contact email form
Maggie’s is a national charity with centres across the UK. They offer care and support to people affected by cancer. Each centre is beside an NHS cancer hospital and is run by specialist staff.
You can join a support group, take part in weekly sessions like relaxation and stress management, or learn about nutrition and health. You can also visit just to have a cup of tea and a friendly chat.
Phone: 0300 123 1801 Email: enquiries@maggies.org
Provides free, reliable information about health issues including mental health, by sharing people's real-life experiences.
There are organisations and support services in your local area that you can access. You can ask your specialist nurse or doctor for more information about cancer services near you.
The NHS website has a service that tells you about local information and support in England.
NHS Inform gives information about illness, treatments and NHS services for people in Scotland.
NHS 111 Wales gives health advice and information for people living in Wales.
The Northern Ireland Cancer Network (NICaN) website tells you where to find cancer information and support in Northern Ireland.
Last reviewed: 27 Mar 2025
Next review due: 27 Mar 2028
Liver cancer is a cancer that starts in the liver. You might hear it called primary liver cancer.
You usually start by seeing your GP. They might refer you for tests or to a specialist if you have symptoms that could be caused by liver cancer.
Your treatment for liver cancer depends on the stage of your cancer and how well your liver is working. The most common treatments are surgery, heat treatment, drug treatments and radiotherapy.
There is support available to help you cope with a diagnosis of liver cancer, life during treatment and life after cancer.
Primary liver cancer is cancer that started in the liver. This section is mainly about the most common type of liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Secondary liver cancer is when a cancer that started somewhere else in the body has spread to the liver. It is also called liver metastases.
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Meet and chat to other cancer people affected by cancer.
Questions about cancer? Call freephone 0808 800 40 40 from 9 to 5 - Monday to Friday. Alternatively, you can email us.
