Liver cancer
The stage of a cancer tells you its size and whether it has spread. It helps your doctor decide which treatment you need.
The tests and scans you have to diagnose your cancer give some information about the stage. There are different staging systems that doctors can use to stage cancer that started in the liver (primary liver cancer).
There are different staging systems for liver cancer, such as the TNM system and the BCLC strategy.
The BCLC strategy is a staging system for liver cancer. The Child-Pugh score assesses how well your liver is working. They help your doctor to plan the best treatment for you.
The TNM staging system is based on T (tumour), N (node) and M (metastasis). This system helps your doctors plan the best treatment for you.
Stage 1 liver cancer means there is a single tumour in the liver, and it has not grown into the blood vessels.
Stage 2 liver cancer means the cancer might have grown into blood vessels of the liver, or there might be 2 or more tumours.
Stage 3 liver cancer means there might be 2 or more tumours, or the cancer might have grown into nearby blood vessels of organs.
Last reviewed: 26 Mar 2025
Next review due: 27 Mar 2028
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