Liver metastases are cancerous tumors that have spread to the liver from somewhere else in the body.

See also: Hepatocellular carcinoma

Metastases to the liver; Metastatic liver cancer; Liver cancer - metastatic

Cancers that may spread to the liver include:

• Breast cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Lung cancer
• Melanoma
• Pancreatic cancer
• Stomach cancer
• Adrenal cancer

The risk of cancer spreading to the liver depends on the site of the original cancer. A liver metastasis may be present when the original (primary) cancer is diagnosed, or it may occur months or years after the primary tumor is removed.

Images

Digestive system organs

Liver metastases, CT scan

Liver biopsy

Hepatocellular cancer, CT scan

Next Section

Liver metastases Symptoms

Review Date: 12/10/2010
Reviewed By: A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, and David R. Eltz. Previously reviewed by David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital (6/22/2010).

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