Liver (heapatic) cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in the world but it is relatively rare in the US, striking 22,620 people in 2009. It is usually associated with a previous liver disease such as viral hepatitis or cirrhosis. Chemicals in the environment may also cause liver cancer. Liver cancer is difficult to detect early in its development. The diagnosis is based on a liver biopsy.

The two main types of liver cancer are hepatoma, also known as hepatocellular cancer, which arises directly from the liver cells and cholangiocarcinoma which arises from the bile ducts that pass through the liver. Hepatomas are by far the most common type. These tumors may arise at multiple sites in the liver.

Survival depends on tumor size, the number of tumors in the liver, and whether the tumor has grown into blood vessels, called vessel invasion. Survival is reduced if the tumor has spread outside the liver to the adjacent lymph nodes. Treatment may include removal of the part of the liver with the tumor, chemotherapy, or in some cases liver transplantation.

Liver Cancer Predictions
Predictions are based on your prognostic factors. These are characteristics that are used to calculate your predictions. The factors are: age, race, sex, tumor size, lymph nodes positive, histologic grade, and histologic type. Your prediction will include a prediction graph and table of the likelihood of survival for the next two years.

Prediction Method
An advanced statistical method called artificial neural network regression (ANN) will be used to make your predictions. Your factors will be entered into the artificial neural network model. The model will use this information to predict your chance of being alive over the next two years.