metastases to liver
Last reviewed 01/2022
Metastases account for the majority of hepatic malignancies. They may arise from almost any site in the body. The most common primaries are:
- lung
- breast
- colon
- stomach
- pancreas
- lymphoma - less common
- leukaemia - less common
In the majority of cases, the tumour deposits are multiple and often, quite large. Necrosis causing central umbilication is a common feature on account of a tendency for these tumours to outgrow their blood supply.
Clinically, hepatic metastases may be suspected from nodular hepatomegaly, but usually, few other indicators are apparent.