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What You Need To Know About™ Liver Cancer
    Posted: 02/08/2002    Updated: 09/16/2002



Introduction







The Liver






Understanding Cancer






Liver Cancer: Who's at Risk?






Symptoms






Diagnosis






Staging






Treatment






Getting a Second Opinion






Treatment Choices






Localized resectable cancer






Localized unresectable cancer






Advanced cancer






Recurrent cancer






Side Effects of Treatment






Pain Control






Nutrition






Continuing Care






Support for People with Liver Cancer






The Promise of Cancer Research






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The Liver

The liver is the largest organ in the body. It is found behind the ribs on the right side of the abdomen. The liver has two parts, a right lobe and a smaller left lobe.

The liver has many important functions that keep a person healthy. It removes harmful material from the blood. It makes enzymes and bile that help digest food. It also converts food into substances needed for life and growth.

The liver gets its supply of blood from two vessels. Most of its blood comes from the hepatic portal vein. The rest comes from the hepatic artery.

This picture shows the liver and nearby organs.
This picture shows the liver and nearby organs.

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