2025 has been a landmark year for liver cancer research. While liver cancer remains one of the most challenging cancers to detect early and treat effectively, 2025 brought new advances in diagnosis and management strategies. With liver cancer incidence rising globally, especially among individuals with metabolic liver disease or hepatitis, this year’s innovations offer hope. From new imaging techniques and early detection tools to clinical trial breakthroughs and next-generation treatments, here’s what this year’s progress means for the future of liver cancer care.
Key Facts
- Liver cancer is the fastest-rising cause of cancer-related death in the UK, now ranking as the 8th most common cause of cancer death1,2.
- Men are roughly twice as likely as women to develop liver cancer. About 66 per cent of cases are in men. The annual age-standardised rate of liver cancer diagnosis is about 15 per 100,000 for men and 6.5 per 100,000 for women3.
- Major risk factors: chronic hepatitis B/C, alcohol-related liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Smoking also accounts for about 20 per cent of cases4.
- In the UK, the overall five-year survival rate for liver cancer is about 15 per cent. Around 35 per cent of people with stage II (localised) disease live for four years or more, while only about 5 per cent with stage IV (distant) disease survive that long5.
- Early detection remains a key challenge: Most UK patients are diagnosed late, leading to limited treatment options and low survival rates6.
Understanding Liver Cancer
Liver cancer primarily refers to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of primary liver cancer. It can also include intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) and other rare liver tumours7.
Causes and Risk Factors
Liver cancers are believed to develop for a variety of reasons, although in many cases the underlying cause remains unknown8. Causes and risk factors for liver cancer include:
- Chronic hepatitis B/C infection
- Excessive alcohol use
- NAFLD
- Liver cirrhosis from any cause
- Family history
- Aflatoxin exposure
- Metabolic syndrome
Challenges in Early Detection
Many factors make it difficult to detect liver at early stages, such as9–11:
- Liver cancer symptoms like weight loss, fatigue, or pain often appear late.
- Screening tools like ultrasound + AFP blood tests are limited in sensitivity.
- Many high-risk individuals are not screened regularly.
Importance of Early Diagnosis
Finding liver cancer early makes a big difference to treatment and survival5,12:
- Survival rates dramatically improve when liver cancer is caught early.
- Early-stage liver cancers may be treated with surgical resection, liver transplant, or ablation, offering a potential cure.
- Detection before the cancer spreads leads to broader treatment options and longer life expectancy.
2025 Research Highlights
2025 has seen several significant breakthroughs across diagnostics, therapeutics, and clinical strategy for liver cancer so far. These advances highlight genuine causes for hope for improved outcomes in liver cancer cases.
Liquid Biopsy for Early Detection Shows Promise
In 2025, a study showed that measuring ATF gene levels in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from blood could distinguish people with HCC from those without cancer more effectively than testing ATF protein levels in blood13. This promising development is an important step towards improving early diagnosis.
AI Imaging Tools Increase MRI and CT Accuracy
Researchers recently conducted a systematic review of AI in diagnosing HCC using CT imaging. The findings showed AI performed well enough to be integrated into routine radiology practice14.
Ezra’s AI-augmented multi-region MRI technology helps detect liver abnormalities, potentially identifying tumours before symptoms emerge.
New Immunotherapy Combinations Extend Survival
In 2025, researchers found that combining finotonlimab with SCT510 extended survival in advanced HCC patients compared with the long-standing standard treatment, sorafenib15.
Of the 1,580 current clinical trials testing CAR-T cell therapies, about 15 per cent focus on liver, gallbladder, and pancreatic cancers16. These trials highlight growing interest in CAR-T as a potential option for liver cancers.
Early Detection Tools: Still the Key to Progress
Imaging and Screening in High-Risk Groups
People with liver cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis should undergo imaging every six months17. Combining MRI with contrast and ultrasound may help to improve the detection of HCC18. Ezra’s Full-Body MRI with liver imaging offers a non-invasive, high-resolution screening option.
Role of AI in Streamlining Detection
AI helps to reduce interpretation errors and accelerate reporting by helping radiologists get through larger volumes of work14. Ezra’s radiologist-supported AI tools help flag abnormal liver findings for further review, helping radiologists spot potential cancers earlier.
Education and Screening Access
It is crucial to understand your risk of liver cancer, yet many people at higher risk are unaware of it19. This highlights the need for greater education and wider access to liver screening tools, such as MRI-based services20.
What You Can Do During Liver Cancer Awareness Month
October is Liver Cancer Awareness Month, providing a great opportunity to show support, raise awareness, and encourage regular screening for earlier detection.
Raise Awareness
- Share liver cancer facts, symptoms, and risk factors from reliable sources on social media and in person.
- Use hashtags like #LiverCancerAwareness and #GetScreenedEarly to reach more people and spread the message widely.
- Consider downloading printable information sheets to raise awareness at your workplace, local GP office, or community centre.
Support Research
You can support research by donating to organisations like Liver Cancer UK, the British Liver Trust, and Cancer Research UK. Consider hosting a fundraiser or taking an active part in awareness events. Invite friends and colleagues to take part.
Get Screened Proactively
If you have liver disease or have concerning symptoms, be sure to contact your doctor to discuss screening options. Consider booking a preventive Ezra Full-Body MRI scan for peace of mind.
Summary
In 2025, the outlook for liver cancer is cautiously optimistic. Liquid biopsy tools, smarter imaging with AI, and advanced immunotherapies are reshaping how we detect and treat liver cancers. Early detection remains the most impactful step in improving outcomes. With proactive screening, particularly for high-risk individuals, lives can be saved.
Ezra’s MRI Scan with Spine is enhanced by AI and interpreted by expert radiologists. It is one way to take control of your health and catch liver abnormalities early, often before symptoms appear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is most at risk for liver cancer?
Individuals with hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, NAFLD, or alcohol-related liver disease are at higher risk of developing liver cancer. Men are at higher risk than women.
Can liver cancer be prevented?
Lifestyle adjustments such as avoiding excess alcohol, quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing liver disease can help reduce the risk of liver cancer.
Are there symptoms in early liver cancer?
There are usually no symptoms in the early stages of liver cancer.
How can I get screened for liver cancer?
High-risk individuals should ask their doctor about imaging every six months. Ezra’s AI-augmented multi-region MRI technology may help detect liver cancer at early stages.
If you want to be proactive about your health, why not book an Ezra MRI Scan with Spine? Our annual scan catches potential cancer earlier by leveraging AI through the screening process, making it more efficient, affordable, and faster.
Understand your risk for cancer with our 5 minute quiz.
Our scan is designed to detect potential cancer early.
References
1. Shafaghmotlagh S. Death rates from liver cancer double in the last 20 years. Cancer Research UK - Cancer News. January 15, 2025. Accessed September 30, 2025. https://news.cancerresearchuk.org/2025/01/15/liver-cancer-death-rates-double-in-the-last-20-years/
2. Liver cancer statistics. Cancer Research UK. May 14, 2015. Accessed September 30, 2025. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type/liver-cancer
3. Cancer Stats Data Hub. Accessed September 30, 2025. https://crukcancerintelligence.shinyapps.io/CancerStatsDataHub/_w_725e29d61eda4b939ce8a147e154c5b2/?_inputs_&nav=%22Incidence%20Breakdowns%20and%20Trends%22&app_select_CancerSite=%22Liver%22&app_select_Country=%22United%20Kingdom%22
4. Liver cancer risk. Cancer Research UK. May 15, 2015. Accessed September 30, 2025. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type/liver-cancer/risk-factors
5. Survival for liver cancer. Accessed September 30, 2025. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/liver-cancer/survival
6. Hanna S. Liver Cancer UK unites with almost 60 other UK cancer charities to call for reform to improve waiting times. British Liver Trust. February 13, 2025. Accessed September 30, 2025. https://britishlivertrust.org.uk/liver-cancer-uk-unite-with-almost-60-other-uk-cancer-charities-to-call-for-reform-to-improve-waiting-times/
7. Types of liver cancer including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Accessed September 30, 2025. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/liver-cancer/types
8. Risks and causes of liver cancer. Accessed September 30, 2025. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/liver-cancer/risks-causes
9. Symptoms of liver cancer. Accessed September 30, 2025. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/liver-cancer/symptoms
10. Singal AG, Lok AS, Feng Z, Kanwal F, Parikh ND. Conceptual Model for the Hepatocellular Carcinoma Screening Continuum: Current Status and Research Agenda. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2022;20(1):9-18. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2020.09.036
11. Screening for liver cancer. Accessed September 30, 2025. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/liver-cancer/getting-diagnosed/screening
12. Treatment for liver cancer. nhs.uk. July 6, 2023. Accessed September 30, 2025. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/liver-cancer/treatment/
13. Moon GY, Park HS, Kim HN, et al. Cell-Free DNA Versus Circulating Tumor Cells: A Pilot Study of Alpha-Fetoprotein Analysis for Diagnosis and Treatment Monitoring in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Biosensors (Basel). 2025;15(9):579. doi:10.3390/bios15090579
14. Younger J, Morris E, Arnold N, Athulathmudali C, Pinidiyapathirage J, MacAskill W. A systematic review of comparisons of AI and radiologists in the diagnosis of HCC in multiphase CT: implications for practice. Jpn J Radiol. Published online August 18, 2025. doi:10.1007/s11604-025-01853-y
15. Zhao C, Zhang Y, Wang G, et al. Finotonlimab (PD-1 inhibitor) plus bevacizumab (bevacizumab biosimilar) as first-tier therapy for late-stage hepatocellular carcinoma: a randomized phase 2/3 trial. Signal Transduct Target Ther. 2025;10(1):249. doi:10.1038/s41392-025-02333-5
16. Cao LY, Zhao Y, Chen Y, et al. CAR-T cell therapy clinical trials: global progress, challenges, and future directions from ClinicalTrials.gov insights. Front Immunol. 2025;16:1583116. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2025.1583116
17. Regular checks for liver cancer (surveillance). British Liver Trust. Accessed September 30, 2025. https://britishlivertrust.org.uk/information-and-support/diagnosis-and-care/regular-checks-for-liver-cancer/
18. Ji S, Wang Z, Xia S. Application of ultrasound combined with enhanced MRI by Gd-BOPTA in diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma. Am J Transl Res. 2021;13(6):7172-7178.
19. AdminBLT. Survey reveals that most adults are unaware of what can increase their risk of liver cancer, the fastest growing cause of cancer death in the UK. Liver Cancer UK. October 20, 2021. Accessed September 30, 2025. https://livercanceruk.org/news/survey-reveals-that-most-adults-are-unaware-of-what-can-increase-their-risk-of-liver-cancer-the-fastest-growing-cause-of-cancer-death-in-the-uk-2/
20. Ronot M. Improving HCC surveillance with abbreviated MRI: A call to integrate and innovate? Journal of Hepatology. 2024;81(3):376-378. doi:10.1016/j.jhep.2024.04.035
