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BOARD CERTIFIED LIVER AND BILE DUCT ONCOLOGISTS
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM LIVER CANCER CARE AT CHARLESTON ONCOLOGY
Your medical oncologist is a central guide in your liver cancer care. Like an orchestra conductor, they ensure that surgeons, radiologists, interventional specialists, and support staff work together seamlessly to provide a coordinated, personalized treatment plan.
Your oncologist advocates for you at every stage, helping you understand your options and coordinating care to deliver the best outcomes for your unique situation.
At Charleston Oncology, we understand that a liver cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. That’s why our medical oncology team is here to guide you through every step of your treatment. With expertise, innovative therapies, and a patient-focused approach, we aim to empower you with clarity, confidence, and support throughout your liver cancer journey.
CONDUCTING THE ORCHESTRA OF CARE
Your medical oncologist is a central guide in your liver cancer care. Like an orchestra conductor, they ensure that surgeons, radiologists, interventional specialists, and support staff work together seamlessly to provide a coordinated, personalized treatment plan.
Your oncologist advocates for you at every stage, helping you understand your options and coordinating care to deliver the best outcomes for your unique situation.
PERSONALIZED LIVER CANCER TREATMENT PLANS
Liver cancer treatment is highly individualized and depends on factors such as the type and stage of cancer, whether it has spread, and your overall health. At Charleston Oncology, we offer a full spectrum of treatments tailored to your needs:
Surgery: When possible, surgical removal of the tumor offers the best chance for long-term control. Depending on your condition, surgery may include:
- Partial hepatectomy: Removal of only the cancerous portion of the liver.
- Liver transplant: In select cases, a transplant may be considered to replace the diseased liver.
Targeted Therapies: Medications that specifically attack cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue, slowing tumor growth and improving outcomes.
Immunotherapy: Innovative treatments that stimulate your immune system to recognize and fight cancer cells.
Radiation Therapy: Advanced techniques, including CyberKnife®, can deliver precise, high-dose radiation to tumors while minimizing damage to surrounding tissue.
Tumor Ablation: Procedures such as radiofrequency or microwave ablation destroy tumors directly in the liver.
Embolization Therapy: Techniques like transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) or radioembolization cut off blood supply to tumors and deliver targeted therapy directly to the liver.
Chemotherapy: While less commonly used as a primary treatment, chemotherapy may be part of a combination plan for advanced disease.
DIAGNOSIS AND STAGING
Liver cancer often shows few symptoms in its early stages, but some warning signs may include:
- Unexplained weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal pain or discomfort
- Nausea or vomiting
- Jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes)
- A heavy feeling under the right rib cage
If preliminary tests raise suspicion, our team uses advanced diagnostics to confirm the diagnosis and stage the cancer:
- Imaging: Ultrasound, CT scans, MRI, and angiograms to evaluate the liver and surrounding structures.
- Laparoscopy: A minimally invasive procedure for direct visualization of the liver.
- Biopsy: Tissue testing to confirm the type of cancer.
- Angiogram: Observation of blood vessels.
Your doctor also performs a series of lab tests, including an alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) blood test, a liver function test, and a blood clotting test. Between the imaging and lab results, your doctor can get a better idea of the type and stage of your liver cancer.
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When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I felt like my whole world stopped. But from the moment I walked into Charleston Oncology, I knew I was in the right hands. The doctors explained everything clearly and made me feel like I wasn’t just another patient — I was part of their family.
Sarah T – Breast Cancer Survivor
Stories from our Patients
Our patients share their journey with newly diagnosed patients. Here their inspirational stories and advice
during the fight against liver cancer.
Read the Blogs
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Lung Cancer in Non-Smokers: What You Should Know
Lung Cancer in Non-Smokers: What You Should KnowAt Charleston Oncology, we understand that lung cancer is often linked to smoking, but it’s important to remember that lung cancer can affect anyone, even those who have never smoked. As part of Lung Cancer Awareness...
Why Early Detection Matters: Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines By Age
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Voted Best In Charleston
Charleston Oncology – Best Oncology Practice
With over 100 years of combined experience, the team of hematologists and oncologists at Charleston Oncology, a department of Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital, is proud to be named HealthLinks Magazine’s Best Oncology Practice.
David Ellison, M.D. – Best Oncologist
Honored as Best Oncologist, Dr. David Ellison is a past recipient of the Physician Champion Award from the Roper St. Francis Foundation, founding chairman of the Lowcountry Komen for the Cure Foundation, and principal investigator for several groundbreaking cancer drug clinical trials.
Messsages from our Physicians
What is the difference between primary liver cancer and liver metastases?
Primary liver cancer — most commonly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) — originates in the liver cells themselves. Liver metastases are cancers that begin in another organ (such as the colon, breast, lung, or pancreas) and spread to the liver. These are fundamentally different diagnoses requiring different treatment approaches. Accurately distinguishing the origin of a liver tumor is one of the first and most important steps in developing your care plan at Charleston Oncology.
What are the main risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)?
The most common risk factors for HCC are chronic liver disease and cirrhosis — particularly those caused by chronic hepatitis B or C infection, alcoholic liver disease, or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD/NASH). Obesity, type 2 diabetes, aflatoxin exposure, and certain hereditary conditions are additional risk factors. Patients with known chronic liver disease or cirrhosis are typically recommended for regular liver ultrasound and AFP monitoring to detect HCC at the earliest, most treatable stage.
What systemic treatment options are available for advanced liver cancer?
The treatment landscape for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma has evolved significantly. First-line systemic therapy now typically involves combination immunotherapy — atezolizumab plus bevacizumab, with tremelimumab plus durvalumab as an alternative. Oral targeted agents such as sorafenib or lenvatinib remain options for patients not eligible for these regimens. For patients with intrahepatic tumor burden, liver-directed therapies such as TACE or radioembolization (Y-90) may also be appropriate. Your oncologist will individualize therapy based on liver function, extent of disease, and performance status.
Can liver cancer be cured surgically, and what if I am not a surgical candidate?
Surgical resection or liver transplantation offers the best chance of cure for appropriately selected patients with early-stage HCC and preserved liver function. For patients who are not surgical candidates, liver-directed local therapies, systemic therapy, and clinical trial participation can all achieve meaningful disease control. Even when cure is not possible, the goal of treatment remains preserving quality of life and achieving the best possible disease control. Your Charleston Oncology team will identify every available option.
Medical Oncology and Hematology Specialists located in Downtown Charleston, North Charleston, West Ashley, Mt. Pleasant, Summerville & Walterboro, SC.
