Primary Liver Cancer in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Primary liver cancer is a serious but increasingly treatable condition. Understanding your risk, symptoms, and local treatment options in Grand Rapids, MI can help you and your family make informed decisions.

What the Liver Does

Your liver is a vital organ located in the upper right side of your abdomen. It has many important jobs, including:

  • Breaking down harmful substances such as drugs, alcohol, and toxins
  • Storing sugars and fats for energy
  • Producing bile to help digest fats
  • Making proteins that help your blood clot and maintain fluid balance
  • Helping regulate your immune system and metabolism

Unlike many other organs, a healthy liver can sometimes repair itself after injury or after part of it is surgically removed during cancer treatment.

What Is Primary Liver Cancer?

Liver cancer begins when cells in the liver grow and divide in an uncontrolled way.

  • Primary liver cancer means the cancer starts in the liver itself.
  • Secondary (metastatic) liver cancer means the cancer started in another part of the body (such as the colon, breast, or lung) and spread to the liver.

In the United States, and here in Michigan, secondary liver cancer is more common than primary liver cancer.

Primary liver cancer most often affects adults and is more common in men than women.

Liver Cancer in Michigan and Grand Rapids

While primary liver cancer is less common than many other cancers, cases have been increasing across the U.S., including in Michigan. Risk factors such as:

  • Long-term hepatitis B or C infection
  • Alcohol-related liver disease
  • Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes

are all present in West Michigan communities.

In Grand Rapids and Kent County, factors like:

  • High rates of obesity and diabetes
  • Alcohol use
  • An aging population

can increase liver cancer risk. The Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health provide vaccination, screening, and education programs that can help lower risk.

Types of Primary Liver Cancer

The main types of primary liver cancer include:

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)

  • The most common type of primary liver cancer in adults
  • Starts in hepatocytes, the main liver cells
  • Often develops in people with cirrhosis (severe scarring of the liver)

Cholangiocarcinoma (Bile Duct Cancer)

  • Starts in the bile ducts that connect the liver to the gallbladder and small intestine
  • Sometimes called bile duct cancer

Angiosarcoma

  • A very rare type of liver cancer
  • Starts in the blood vessels of the liver

Hepatoblastoma

  • A rare liver cancer that occurs mostly in young children

Symptoms of Liver Cancer

Liver cancer often does not cause symptoms in the early stages. Symptoms may appear as the tumor grows or spreads.

Possible symptoms include:

  • Weakness and tiredness (fatigue)
  • Pain or discomfort in the upper right abdomen or under the right shoulder blade
  • A hard lump or fullness on the right side of the abdomen
  • Loss of appetite and feeling sick (nausea)
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
  • Dark urine and pale or clay-colored stools
  • Itchy skin
  • Swollen abdomen from fluid build-up (ascites)

Not Everyone With These Symptoms Has Liver Cancer

Conditions such as gallbladder disease, hepatitis, or other digestive issues can cause similar symptoms.
If you notice any of these symptoms for more than a couple of weeks, see your doctor or a Grand Rapids primary care clinic promptly.

Local options include:

  • Spectrum Health / Corewell Health primary care practices
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids clinics
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health primary care offices
  • Mercy Health physician practices in the Grand Rapids area

Risk Factors for Primary Liver Cancer

Having a risk factor does not mean you will definitely develop liver cancer, but it does increase your chances.

Major risk factors include:

  • Chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C infection

  • Cirrhosis (severe scarring of the liver) from:

    • Long-term heavy alcohol use
    • Chronic viral hepatitis
    • Autoimmune liver disease
    • Genetic conditions

  • Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), often related to:

    • Obesity
    • Type 2 diabetes
    • High cholesterol or triglycerides

  • Hemochromatosis (too much iron in the body)

  • Smoking tobacco

  • Family history of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)

  • Long-term exposure to certain toxins or aflatoxins (less common in the U.S.)

In Grand Rapids, cold winters and less sunlight can contribute to lower physical activity and higher rates of obesity and diabetes, which in turn can increase the risk of fatty liver disease and liver cancer.

If You’re Worried About Your Risk

Talk with your:

  • Primary care doctor
  • Gastroenterologist
  • Hepatologist (liver specialist)

in Grand Rapids. They may recommend:

  • Blood tests
  • Ultrasound screening for people with cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis
  • Lifestyle changes (weight management, reducing alcohol use, quitting smoking)
  • Vaccination for hepatitis B (available through local health systems and the Kent County Health Department)

How Liver Cancer Is Diagnosed in Grand Rapids

Common Tests for Liver Cancer

Your doctor may order several tests to confirm a diagnosis and plan treatment:

1. Blood Tests

  • Check how well your liver is working (liver function tests)
  • Look for tumor markers such as alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)
  • Screen for hepatitis B and C

2. Imaging Scans

  • Ultrasound – often the first imaging test used to look for tumors or monitor people with cirrhosis
  • CT scan or MRI scan – provide more detailed images to:
    • Confirm the presence of a tumor
    • Determine its size and location
    • See if cancer has spread to blood vessels or other organs

These imaging tests are available at major Grand Rapids hospitals, including:

  • Spectrum Health / Corewell Health Butterworth and Blodgett Hospitals
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
  • Mercy Health facilities in the region

3. Biopsy

Sometimes a biopsy is needed to confirm the diagnosis:

  • A small sample of liver tissue is removed, usually by a core needle biopsy
  • The area is numbed with local anesthetic
  • A needle is passed through the skin of the abdomen into the liver tumor
  • The tissue is examined under a microscope for cancer cells

If tests show secondary cancer in the liver, more tests will be done to find where the cancer started (for example, colonoscopy for colon cancer).

Staging Liver Cancer

The stage of liver cancer describes:

  • The size of the tumor
  • How many tumors are present
  • Whether cancer has spread to blood vessels, lymph nodes, or other organs
  • How well your liver is working
  • How active and independent you are in daily life (performance status)

Primary liver cancer is often staged using the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system:

  • Stage 0 – Very early liver cancer
  • Stage A – Early liver cancer
  • Stage B – Intermediate liver cancer
  • Stage C – Advanced liver cancer
  • Stage D – End-stage liver cancer

Your doctor will also use the Child–Pugh score to assess liver function:

  • A – Some damage, but liver is still working relatively well
  • B – Moderate damage, liver function is reduced
  • C – Severe damage, liver is not working well

A severely damaged liver may not be able to tolerate certain treatments such as major surgery.

Ask your oncologist or liver specialist in Grand Rapids to explain your stage and Child–Pugh score in clear terms and how they affect your treatment options.

Prognosis (Outlook) for Liver Cancer

Prognosis is the expected outcome of a disease. It depends on:

  • The type of liver cancer
  • The stage at diagnosis
  • How fast the cancer is growing
  • Whether you have cirrhosis and how well your liver is working
  • Your age, overall health, and fitness
  • How well you respond to treatment

Liver cancer outcomes are usually better when the cancer is found early and the liver is still working well. Many people are diagnosed at a later stage, which can make treatment more complex.

Statistics you may find online or in brochures are based on large groups of people and may not reflect your individual situation. Always discuss any numbers or statistics with your treatment team at:

  • Spectrum Health / Corewell Health Cancer Center
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids cancer services
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health cancer programs
  • Other oncology practices in West Michigan

Treatment Options for Primary Liver Cancer in Grand Rapids

Your treatment plan will depend on:

  • Whether the cancer is primary or secondary
  • The size, number, and location of tumors
  • Whether major blood vessels are involved
  • Whether you have cirrhosis and how well your liver works
  • Your age, overall health, and personal preferences

You may be treated by a multidisciplinary team that can include:

  • Hepatologists (liver specialists)
  • Gastroenterologists
  • Surgical oncologists and hepatobiliary surgeons
  • Medical oncologists
  • Radiation oncologists
  • Interventional radiologists
  • Palliative care specialists
  • Oncology nurses, dietitians, social workers

Surgery (Liver Resection)

The goal of surgery is to remove:

  • All visible cancer
  • A margin of healthy tissue around it

This is called a liver resection or partial hepatectomy and is usually done in a specialized center with liver surgery expertise (available through major Grand Rapids hospital systems).

  • Surgery is usually an option only if the tumor is small and the rest of the liver is working well.
  • After surgery, the remaining liver can regrow to near-normal size within a few months, even if up to three-quarters is removed.

If a large portion of the liver needs to be removed and the remaining part might be too small, your team may recommend portal vein embolization (PVE) 4–8 weeks before surgery. This procedure blocks blood flow to the diseased part of the liver so the healthy part can grow larger.

Liver Transplant

A liver transplant involves removing the entire diseased liver and replacing it with a healthy donor liver.

Transplant may be considered if:

  • You have a single tumor or several small tumors
  • The cancer is confined to the liver
  • You meet certain health and lifestyle criteria (for example, being reasonably fit, not smoking, not using illegal drugs, and having stopped drinking alcohol for a specified period)

Because donor livers are limited, waiting times can be long. During this time, other treatments may be used to control the cancer.

Transplant evaluation and coordination may be done locally, but you may also be referred to a regional transplant center in Michigan.

Tumor Ablation

Tumor ablation destroys the tumor without removing it. It may be recommended if:

  • You cannot have surgery
  • You are waiting for a liver transplant
  • The tumor is small (often less than 3 cm)

Types of ablation include:

  • Thermal ablation

    • Uses heat to destroy the tumor
    • Can be done using radiofrequency (radiofrequency ablation, RFA) or microwaves (microwave ablation)

  • Alcohol injection (percutaneous ethanol injection)

    • Pure alcohol (ethanol) is injected into the tumor to kill cancer cells
    • Used less often and not available at all hospitals

  • Cryotherapy (cryosurgery)

    • Freezes and destroys cancer cells
    • Not widely available, but may be offered in select centers

These procedures are typically performed by interventional radiologists at major Grand Rapids hospitals.

Radiation Therapy

Liver tissue is sensitive to radiation, so advanced techniques are used to protect healthy liver cells:

  • Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIRT)

    • Tiny radioactive beads are delivered directly into the blood vessels feeding the tumor

  • Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)

    • Delivers highly focused radiation to the tumor while sparing surrounding tissue

Radiation therapy for liver cancer may be available through cancer centers in Grand Rapids such as Spectrum Health / Corewell Health and Trinity Health Grand Rapids.

Chemotherapy and TACE

Traditional systemic chemotherapy is rarely used for primary liver cancer but may be used for secondary (metastatic) liver cancer.

More commonly, doctors may use:

  • Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE)
    • High doses of chemotherapy are delivered directly to the tumor through an artery in the liver
    • The blood vessel is then blocked (embolized) to cut off the tumor’s blood supply
    • Often used for people who cannot have surgery or are waiting for a liver transplant

Drug Therapies (Immunotherapy and Targeted Therapy)

For advanced liver cancer, medications that circulate throughout the body can:

  • Slow cancer growth
  • Shrink tumors
  • Help control symptoms

Two main types are:

  • Targeted therapy – drugs that specifically target cancer cell growth or blood supply
  • Immunotherapy – drugs that help your immune system recognize and attack cancer cells

Drug treatment for liver cancer is changing quickly, and new options continue to become available. Your oncologist in Grand Rapids may also discuss clinical trials through:

  • Spectrum Health / Corewell Health Cancer Center
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
  • University of Michigan or other regional academic partners

Ask if there are any clinical trials that might be suitable for you.

Side Effects and Symptom Management

All cancer treatments can have side effects. These vary depending on:

  • The type of treatment
  • The dose
  • Your overall health and liver function

Common issues with liver cancer or its treatment can include:

  • Pain
  • Fatigue and weakness
  • Nausea and poor appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
  • Fluid build-up in the abdomen (ascites)
  • Confusion or trouble thinking clearly (can be related to liver function)

Your treatment team will explain possible side effects before treatment begins and help you manage them. In Grand Rapids, support may include:

  • Oncology nurses and nurse navigators
  • Palliative care specialists
  • Dietitians
  • Social workers and counselors

If English is not your first language, ask your hospital or clinic for interpreter services. Major health systems in Grand Rapids can arrange interpreters for many languages.

Palliative Care and Advanced Liver Cancer

Advanced cancer usually means cancer that is unlikely to be cured, but many people can live for months or years with advanced liver cancer.

Palliative care:

  • Is appropriate at any stage of advanced cancer
  • Focuses on improving quality of life
  • Helps manage symptoms such as pain, nausea, fatigue, and emotional distress
  • Can be provided alongside treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, or targeted therapy

Palliative care services in Grand Rapids are available through:

  • Hospital-based palliative care teams (Spectrum Health / Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health)
  • Community-based palliative and hospice programs in West Michigan

Ask your doctor about a referral to palliative care early in your treatment, not just at the end of life.

Living With Liver Cancer in Grand Rapids

Coping with liver cancer can be physically and emotionally challenging. Local and state resources can help you and your family:

  • Your GP (primary care doctor) – coordinates your overall health needs
  • Oncology and liver specialists at Grand Rapids hospitals
  • Kent County Health Department – vaccinations, hepatitis testing, and public health resources
  • Grand Rapids Public Health and community clinics – preventive care and chronic disease management

Support services may include:

  • Counseling and mental health support
  • Nutrition and exercise guidance adapted for Michigan’s seasons (for example, indoor activity plans during cold winters)
  • Financial and transportation assistance programs
  • Spiritual care and support groups

Support for Carers, Family, and Friends

Caring for someone with liver cancer can be demanding. Caregivers may need:

  • Information about the disease and treatments
  • Training in symptom management and home care
  • Emotional support and respite services

Talk with:

  • Your loved one’s healthcare team
  • Local social workers and case managers
  • West Michigan caregiver support organizations and faith-based community programs

Key Points About Primary Liver Cancer in Grand Rapids, MI

  • The liver has many essential functions, including breaking down harmful substances such as drugs and alcohol.
  • Primary liver cancer starts in the liver; secondary liver cancer starts elsewhere and spreads to the liver. Secondary liver cancer is more common in the United States.
  • Long-term hepatitis B or C, heavy alcohol use, fatty liver disease (often linked to obesity and diabetes), and cirrhosis are major risk factors.
  • Liver cancer often causes no symptoms in early stages. Later, symptoms can include fatigue, pain, weight loss, jaundice, and a swollen abdomen from fluid build-up (ascites).
  • Diagnosis may involve blood tests, ultrasound, CT or MRI scans, and sometimes a biopsy.
  • Treatment options in Grand Rapids include surgery, liver transplant, ablation, radiation therapy (SIRT, SBRT), TACE, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy.
  • Palliative care can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life at any stage of advanced liver cancer.
  • Local resources in Grand Rapids and Kent County—major hospital systems, public health departments, and community organizations—can provide medical care, screening, and support.

If you live in the Grand Rapids area and are concerned about liver cancer or your liver health, schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor or a local gastroenterologist to discuss testing, risk reduction, and treatment options.