Liver Cancer

If you should develop liver cancer, it’s important to be able to quickly access the newest treatments to fight the disease.

Our doctors work closely with the physicians of the internationally renowned Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, located right on our campus. This allows you to receive expert diagnosis from one of our gastroenterologists and then seamlessly transfer to the Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital for advanced treatments.

Liver Cancer Care at Barnes-West County Hospital: Why Choose Us

All of our gastroenterologists excel at diagnosing liver cancer. With a full range of diagnostic technology and techniques at their disposal, our physicians offer you:

• Expert diagnosis: Using their combined decades of clinical experience, our physicians are able to quickly distinguish between common liver conditions like hepatitis and serious conditions like liver cancer.
• Innovative, new treatments: Through our affiliation with Siteman Cancer Center, you may be able to participate in a research study for liver cancer treatment. Learn more about treatment at Siteman by exploring their liver cancer toolkit.
• Continuous communication: Due to the physical proximity of Siteman (it’s located right on our campus), your referring gastroenterologist can maintain close contact with your liver cancer physician to relay all key diagnostic findings.

What is Liver Cancer?

Cancer happens when cells in the body mutate and begin multiplying at a rapid rate. This can happen to any tissue in the body, including the liver.

What Causes Liver Cancer?

Liver cancer often occurs when liver disease goes undiagnosed. Typically, liver cancer represents the end stage of another, underlying liver condition, like cirrhosis due to hepatitis C.

Certain risk factors may put you at higher risk for developing liver cancer. These include:

• Cirrhosis caused by alcohol abuse or fatty liver disease
• Chronic hepatitis C infection
• Smoking
• Gender (men are more likely to get liver cancer than women)
• Inherited disorders, such as Wilson’s disease
• Anabolic steroid use

How We Diagnose Liver Cancer

If your doctor suspects you could have liver cancer, he or she will want to perform several tests, including:

• Blood (lab) testing
• Sophisticated imaging studies, including ultrasound and PET scan—both available at Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital
• Liver tissue biopsy

How is Liver Cancer Treated?

Treatment for liver cancer depends upon how advanced your disease is.

Learn more about treatment at the Siteman Cancer Center by exploring their liver cancer toolkit.

Contact Us

For more information or to schedule an appointment with a gastroenterologist, call Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital at 314.542.WEST (9378) or toll-free at 844.542.9378.

We are conveniently located just one mile west of I-270 on Olive Blvd., at Olive and Mason in Creve Coeur, Missouri - a west county suburb of St. Louis, Missouri. Get directions to our hospital.