Liver Metastases
Liver metastases(mets) are areas of cancer that spread to the liver from another part of the body. The liver is a common place for cancer to spread. The mets may be a single spot or multiple areas, and they can appear anywhere in the liver.
Sometimes, liver mets are found at the same time as the primary cancer. Other times, they may not show up until much later, sometimes months or even years after the first diagnosis.
What types of cancer spread to the liver?
Colorectal cancer most often spreads to the liver. Other cancers that can spread to the liver include breast, esophageal, stomach, pancreatic, lung, kidney, and melanoma skin cancers. Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are especially likely to spread to the liver because blood from the digestive system flows directly into it.
Symptoms of liver metastases
Cancer in the liver can cause different symptoms depending on how much of the liver is affected. Common symptoms include:
- Loss of appetite
- Feeling tired or weak
- Fever
- Itchy skin
- Yellowing of the whites of the eyes or skin (jaundice)
- Bloated or swollen belly (ascites)
- Leg swelling (edema)
- Pain in the upper right part of the abdomen (belly) (less common)
If there are a lot of metastases and the liver can’t work well, it can lead to hepatic encephalopathy. This condition is caused by a buildup of ammonia and other toxins in the blood. It affects the brain and can cause confusion, sleepiness, and even coma.
How are liver metastases found?
Liver mets may be found because a person is having symptoms, or if the doctor is looking to see if the cancer has spread anywhere else in the body. Liver mets may be seen on imaging tests such as:
- X-ray
- CT or CAT scan
- MRI
- PET scan
Treatment of liver metastases
Treatment for liver mets can include:
- Surgery to remove the mets if there are a small number of tumors and they are not in areas that would affect normal liver function.
- An ablation using high energy waves to destroy the cancer cells.
- Radiation therapy to the whole liver for many spots or if there are a small number, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) may be used.
- Chemotherapy into a vein or right into a blood vessel leading to the liver.
- An embolization to block blood supply to the cancer.
For hepatic encephalopathy, treatment will depend on how severe symptoms are. A person who is confused, sleepy, or in a coma will likely need medicines like lactulose, lactitol, or rifaximin to lower the level of ammonia in the blood.
Treatments for liver mets can help control symptoms, improve quality of life, and sometimes help people live longer. But they can also come with side effects. Ask your cancer care team about:
- The goal of treatment
- What to expect during and after treatment
- Possible side effects or risks
- How each option might affect your daily life
It’s important to understand your treatment options so you can decide what’s right for you.
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- References
Developed by the 绿帽社 medical and editorial content team with medical review and contribution by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). What is metastasis? Accessed at cancer.net. Content is no longer available.
Griscom JT, Wolf PS. Liver metastasis. Updated 2023 Aug 14. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025. Accessed at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553118 on July 10, 2025.
Ridola, L, Riggo, O. Hepatic encephalopathy in adults: Clinical manifestations and diagnosis. UpToDate. Updated September 24, 2024. Accessed at https://www.uptodate.com/contents/hepatic-encephalopathy-in-adults-clinical-manifestations-and-diagnosis on July 10, 2025.
Ridola, L, Riggio, O. Hepatic encephalopathy in adults: Treatment. UpToDate. Updated September 19, 2024. Accessed at https://www.uptodate.com/contents/hepatic-encephalopathy-in-adults-treatment on July 10, 2025.
Last Revised: July 30, 2025
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