Liver Cancer Survival Rate: What You Need to Know

Written By Blen Shumiye, MD

Published OnAugust 9, 2025

Liver Cancer Survival Rate: What You Need to Know

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with liver cancer, you're likely wondering what the future holds. One of the most common questions people ask is: What are my chances of survival?

Here’s the short answer: Liver cancer survival depends on many things, including the stage at diagnosis, treatment options, your liver health, and your overall condition. Some people live for many years after treatment. Others may have fewer options.

In this guide, we’ll break down liver cancer survival rates in clear, simple terms. You’ll learn what affects these numbers, what treatments can help, and what questions to ask your doctor.

What is liver cancer?

Liver cancer starts in your liver, the organ that filters blood, stores nutrients, and helps your body process toxins.

The most common type of primary liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Other types, like intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and angiosarcoma, are much less common.

Sometimes cancer spreads to the liver from another part of the body, like colon cancer or breast. This is called secondary liver cancer or liver metastases. It’s not the same as liver cancer that starts in the liver, and it’s treated differently. This guide focuses on primary liver cancer.

What does survival rate mean?

A survival rate tells you how many people are still alive a certain amount of time after diagnosis. The most common number used is the 5-year survival rate. That means the percentage of people who live at least five years after being diagnosed.

Let’s say the 5-year survival rate is 20%. That means 20 out of every 100 people are still alive five years after diagnosis. It doesn’t mean the rest died at year five. It includes anyone who passed away during those five years. And many people live much longer.

Remember: Survival rates are averages based on older data and may not reflect newer treatments, so many people do better than the numbers suggest.

What’s the survival rate for liver cancer?

Liver cancer survival depends mostly on how early it’s found.

If the cancer is only in the liver and hasn’t spread, survival is much higher. Around one in three people with localized liver cancer are still alive five years after diagnosis.

If the cancer has spread to nearby tissues or lymph nodes, survival drops. In these cases, only about one in ten people live five years or more.

If the cancer has spread to other organs, like the lungs or bones, survival is very low. Only a small number—around three out of 100 people—live five years past diagnosis.

Across all stages combined, about 21 out of every 100 people with liver cancer survive five years or longer. That’s the overall average.

Learn more in our guide to metastatic liver cancer.

What affects liver cancer survival?

1. Cancer stage

The earlier it’s found, the better the outlook. People with small, localized tumors have the highest chance of survival.

2. Tumor size and location

Smaller tumors that haven’t reached blood vessels or bile ducts are easier to treat.

3. Liver health

Liver function matters a lot. Many people with liver cancer also have cirrhosis or hepatitis. A damaged liver makes surgery or other treatments riskier.

Learn how to monitor it with an at-home liver test.

4. Available treatments

People who qualify for surgery or transplant tend to live longer. If your options are limited, survival may be shorter.

5. Overall health

Your age, other medical conditions, and ability to handle treatment all make a difference. Lifestyle changes, like avoiding alcohol, matter.

Read how drinking alcohol damages the liver.

6. Treatment response

Some tumors respond well to treatment and shrink or stop growing. Others don’t.

What treatments can improve survival?

Liver transplant

If you qualify for a liver transplant and get it in time, your chances of long-term survival are strong. In fact, many people who receive a liver transplant for early-stage liver cancer live five years or more—some live ten years or longer.

Surgery (removing part of the liver)

If only part of your liver has cancer and the rest is healthy, doctors may remove the tumor. People who get surgery often live for years, especially if the cancer hasn’t spread. But there’s still a risk it could come back.

Tumor ablation

This treatment uses heat or alcohol to destroy tumors. It works best for small tumors and is often used when surgery isn’t an option. It can control cancer for a few years in some people.

Embolization (TACE or TARE)

This blocks blood flow to the tumor, slowing its growth. It’s not a cure, but it can extend life and reduce symptoms. Many people live one to two years longer with this treatment.

Targeted therapy

Medications like sorafenib or lenvatinib help slow cancer growth. They’re often used for advanced liver cancer. They don’t cure it, but they can help people live several more months.

Immunotherapy

Newer treatments help your immune system fight cancer. These treatments are promising. Some people live much longer than expected, even with advanced disease.

What if liver cancer comes back?

Liver cancer often returns—even after successful treatment.

After surgery, up to 70 out of 100 people may see liver cancer come back within five years. After a transplant, the chances of recurrence are lower, but it can still happen.

If cancer comes back, you may still have treatment options. Doctors can use ablation, embolization, or even clinical trials to help manage it.

Learn more about liver lesions: causes, diagnosis, and treatment.

What should you ask your doctor?

Bring this list to your next visit:

What stage is my cancer?
Can it be cured or removed?
Am I eligible for surgery or transplant?
What are my treatment options and side effects?
What’s my survival outlook?
How healthy is my liver?
Are clinical trials available?
Where can I get support?

Read more on what disqualifies you from a liver transplant should a second transplant be needed.

How can you support your health?

Avoid alcohol

Alcohol harms your liver and can make your cancer worse.

Manage hepatitis

If you have hepatitis B or C, ask your doctor about antiviral treatment. It won’t cure cancer, but it may slow its growth and protect your liver.

Read about hepatitis C self-care.

Eat a liver-friendly diet

Focus on whole foods, low sodium, and healthy fats. Avoid highly processed foods and added sugars.

Stay on top of appointments

Follow-up scans and blood tests help catch recurrence early.

Ask for help

Support groups, counseling, and palliative care can improve your quality of life.

What if the cancer can’t be cured?

Not all liver cancer can be cured. If your doctor says the cancer is advanced, the focus may shift to managing symptoms and improving quality of life. This is called palliative care.

Palliative care may include pain control, nutrition support, counseling, and future planning.

Are there different types of liver cancer?

Yes. Most liver cancers are hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but there are others.

Fibrolamellar HCC

This rare cancer affects younger people without liver disease. It often grows slower and may be easier to remove with surgery.

Cholangiocarcinoma

Also called bile duct cancer, this type is harder to detect and treat. It often spreads before it’s found.

Each type has its own treatment approach and survival outlook.

Can liver cancer be prevented?

You can’t control everything, but you can lower your risk:

Get vaccinated for hepatitis B.
Get treated if you have hepatitis C.
Avoid heavy drinking.
Eat a healthy diet and stay at a healthy weight.
Avoid moldy grains and nuts, which may contain aflatoxins (a known liver toxin).

If you already have liver disease, ask your doctor about screening every 6–12 months. Regular imaging can catch liver cancer early, when it’s more treatable.

See our liver reduction diet and fatty liver diet plan PDF.

Bottom line

Liver cancer survival rates can sound discouraging, but they don’t tell the full story. Many people live longer than expected—especially if the cancer is caught early and treatment is possible.

Your outcome depends on the stage, your liver health, and your care plan. If you’ve been diagnosed, ask questions, stay informed, and take steps to support your liver.

Your survival depends on many things, but one of the most powerful tools is knowledge. Learn about your options. Talk openly with your care team. Ask questions. And don’t go through it alone.

Related Resources

References

Mayo Clinic. (2025). Liver Cancer - Symptoms and Causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/liver-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20353659
American Cancer Society. (2020). Liver Cancer Survival Rates. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/liver-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/survival-rates.html
Cleveland Clinic. (2023). Liver Cancer: Symptoms, Signs, Causes & Treatment. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9418-liver-cancer
Hassanipour, S. et al. (2020). The Survival Rate of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Asian Countries. https://doi.org/10.17179/excli2019-1842
Cancer Research UK. (2025). Survival for Liver Cancer. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/liver-cancer/survival

Written by Blen Shumiye, MD

Dr. Blen is a seasoned medical writer and General Practitioner with over five years of clinical experience. She blends deep medical expertise with a gift for clear, compassionate communication to create evidence-based content that informs and empowers. Her work spans clinical research, patient education, and health journalism, establishing her as a trusted voice in both professional and public health spheres.

Back to blog

All Categories