Liver Cancer

We provide exceptional care for both cancers that start in the liver (called hepatocellular carcinoma) and those that start in other parts of your body and move to the liver (metastatic liver cancer). Sometimes cancer can spread from the colon, breast or kidneys. Melanoma can also spread.

We treat rare, benign (not cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) diseases, including:

• Adenoma.
• Bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma).
• Hepatocellular carcinoma.

Confirming Your Liver Cancer Diagnosis

When you’re coming to us for private liver cancer care, we start by confirming your diagnosis. Our expert team works together to gather data and learn as much as possible about what’s going on inside your body. This will often involve a great deal of questioning and testing.

We may recommend:

• Blood tests.
• Imaging tests (including MRI and CT scans).

Second opinions and virtual consultations

When you hear a diagnosis like liver cancer, it can be an emotional moment. You’ll want to make sure you’re surrounded by experts who are there to help you however they can. Patients from all over the world look to our consultants for second opinions. We often provide this service through virtual visits. This means getting answers without having to travel.

If you would like a second opinion from Cleveland Clinic London, we review previous test results, confirm your diagnosis and provide personalised treatment recommendations. Second opinions are available regardless of whether you choose to receive care at Cleveland Clinic London.

Our team works with you to create a personalised care plan that you’re comfortable with. As we develop this plan together, we’ll answer your questions and explain what will happen throughout the entire process.

Minimally invasive surgery

We often are able to perform surgery through small incisions using sophisticated technologies, meaning there’s less disruption to nearby healthy tissue. This can typically lead to a smoother recovery, too.

Minimally invasive surgical options include:

• Laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery: Your surgeon will use instruments and a tiny camera attached to a thin telescopic rod to do the procedure.
• Robotic surgery: Surgeons can now gain more precision than a human hand alone. The robot’s every move is controlled in the surgical theatre by the surgeon – combining expert knowledge and technological advancement.

For more complex cases, you may have two experienced hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgeons by your side during surgery. This can often lead to a faster procedure, with less bleeding and a quicker recovery for you.

If your cancer has spread to your colon or rectum, we will also include our colorectal surgeons on your surgical team. This approach lets us remove cancer that has spread to other organs (metastatic cancer) during one operation.

Radiology procedures

We can use radiology procedures as a part of your treatment plan. You may have these before or after surgery. In some cases, your consultant may recommend radiology procedures instead of surgery. We’ll guide you through your radiology treatment options and answer any questions you may have.

There are several types of radiology procedures we offer, including:

• Ablative therapies: We’ll use microwave and radiofrequency ablation, which can destroy cancer cells.
• Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE): We’ll inject substances that cut off the tumour’s blood supply.
• Portal vein embolization: We’ll redirect blood to a healthy part of the liver to increase its size.

Coordinating Your Liver Cancer Care

Teamwork is an important part of your care. And this doesn’t just mean working within our own team. If you need chemotherapy, immunotherapy or clinical (radiation) oncology, we’ll partner with The London Clinic to provide the best possible care. Working collaboratively, we’ll coordinate your care to provide seamless transitions. Consultants from The London Clinic will even attend our team meetings, meaning they’re already familiar with your case when you meet face-to-face.

What’s Next?

Timing is everything when you receive a cancer diagnosis. You need a personalised care plan and you need one quickly. At Cleveland Clinic London, our consultants are here to help. From providing prompt and flexible appointment times that fit in your busy life to pairing you with expert consultants who are leaders in their field, our goal is getting you the best possible care.