Liver Cancer Care in Portland and Vancouver

At Compass Oncology, our multidisciplinary team of oncologists and surgeons is dedicated to guiding patients through a liver cancer diagnosis, offering the most advanced treatment and surgical approaches.
Find a Liver Cancer Specialist
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Our liver cancer doctors take the time to understand your specific diagnosis before recommending a personalized treatment plan. Our comprehensive services include surgery, radiation therapy, medical oncology, and access to clinical trials, so you can receive complete care under one roof. We also provide palliative care to help manage treatment side effects and supportive care for you and your loved ones.

With locations in Portland and Vancouver, we combine advanced cancer treatments with a patient-centered approach to make sure you feel supported, informed, and confident throughout your care.

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Next Steps After a Liver Cancer Diagnosis

After a diagnosis, an oncologist who specializes in gastrointestinal (GI) cancers will provide a personalized treatment plan for your specific type of liver cancer. Whether you were just diagnosed, are seeking a second opinion, or are exploring clinical trial options, the team at Compass Oncology is here to guide you. We have developed a helpful resource to walk you through what to expect, from understanding your diagnosis to preparing for your first appointment.

What to Expect After a GI Cancer Diagnosis

Why Choose the Compass Oncology Team for Cancer Care?

Liver cancer care is a collaborative effort led by one of our medical oncologists specializing in GI cancers, including liver cancer. They meet with our liver surgical oncologist and a radiation oncologist to develop a treatment plan that uses the most advanced treatments available today. Our palliative care physician is also part of our multidisciplinary team, assisting with side effect management, as needed, during and after treatment.

Our supportive care services are also available to you and your loved ones for emotional and mental support throughout the entire process. This comprehensive approach allows you to receive the care you need every step of the way, from diagnosis through survivorship.

Meet the Team
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The Most Advanced Treatments for Liver Cancer

Different types of treatments are available to treat liver cancer, such as ablation, embolization, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy. Some patients with liver cancer may be eligible to participate in a clinical trial, which we can discuss with you if available. 

Non-Surgical Treatments
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GI Surgical Oncologist On-staff

Surgery is frequently part of the liver cancer treatment plan. Our team includes a hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgeon familiar with the latest liver cancer surgical procedures. They will be part of the assessment to see if surgery is possible and the most suitable surgical procedure for you.

Liver Cancer Surgery

Liver Cancer FAQs

If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should contact your primary care physician or a gastroenterologist to discuss:

  • Hard lump on the right side, just below the rib cage
  • Discomfort in the upper abdomen on the right side
  • Pain around the right shoulder blade
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Itching
  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
  • Unusual tiredness
  • Nausea
  • Loss of appetite
  • Feeling full after not eating much food

Your primary care provider (PCP) may refer you to a hepatologist, a specialist in liver disorders, or a gastroenterologist, who specializes in digestive organs, based on your symptoms.

There are no routine liver cancer screening tests, so it is important to discuss with your doctor if you have a family history of liver cancer or other known risk factors. If you are at a higher risk of developing liver cancer, testing may be available to help detect cancer at an early stage, when it’s most treatable.

Learn about common risk factors for liver cancer and screening options for patients at high risk.

If liver cancer is suspected based on your symptoms, your doctor will order diagnostic tests to look for cancerous cells. If a mass is detected in your liver, additional tests likely include an imaging test called an angiogram or a biopsy.

Learn about the types of tests used to diagnose liver cancer.

The growth rate of liver cancer depends on its type and stage. In early stages, liver cancer tends to grow slowly, while in later, more advanced stages, it’s more likely to grow quickly.

After a liver cancer diagnosis, your oncologist will need to know the extent (stage) of the cancer to determine how much damage it has caused to the liver and if the cancer can be removed with surgery. This influences the recommended treatment plan and prognosis.

Learn about the staging process for liver cancer.

The most common type of liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which develops in liver cells, called hepatocellular cells. Cholangiocarcinoma is another, less common type of liver cancer, more specifically known as bile duct cancer. Cholangiocarcinomas develop in the small, tube-like bile ducts within the liver. Other less common types of liver cancer include hepatoblastoma and angiosarcoma of the liver.

What are the signs and symptoms of liver cancer?

If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should contact your primary care physician or a gastroenterologist to discuss:

  • Hard lump on the right side, just below the rib cage
  • Discomfort in the upper abdomen on the right side
  • Pain around the right shoulder blade
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Itching
  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
  • Unusual tiredness
  • Nausea
  • Loss of appetite
  • Feeling full after not eating much food

Your primary care provider (PCP) may refer you to a hepatologist, a specialist in liver disorders, or a gastroenterologist, who specializes in digestive organs, based on your symptoms.

Can I be screened for liver cancer?

There are no routine liver cancer screening tests, so it is important to discuss with your doctor if you have a family history of liver cancer or other known risk factors. If you are at a higher risk of developing liver cancer, testing may be available to help detect cancer at an early stage, when it’s most treatable.

Learn about common risk factors for liver cancer and screening options for patients at high risk.

How is liver cancer diagnosed?

If liver cancer is suspected based on your symptoms, your doctor will order diagnostic tests to look for cancerous cells. If a mass is detected in your liver, additional tests likely include an imaging test called an angiogram or a biopsy.

Learn about the types of tests used to diagnose liver cancer.

How fast does liver cancer grow?

The growth rate of liver cancer depends on its type and stage. In early stages, liver cancer tends to grow slowly, while in later, more advanced stages, it’s more likely to grow quickly.

After a liver cancer diagnosis, your oncologist will need to know the extent (stage) of the cancer to determine how much damage it has caused to the liver and if the cancer can be removed with surgery. This influences the recommended treatment plan and prognosis.

Learn about the staging process for liver cancer.

Are there different types of liver cancer?

The most common type of liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which develops in liver cells, called hepatocellular cells. Cholangiocarcinoma is another, less common type of liver cancer, more specifically known as bile duct cancer. Cholangiocarcinomas develop in the small, tube-like bile ducts within the liver. Other less common types of liver cancer include hepatoblastoma and angiosarcoma of the liver.

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