Liver cancer incorporates ICD-10 cancer code C22 (Malignant neoplasm of liver and intrahepatic bile ducts).

New cases

In 2016, there were 2,170 new cases of liver cancer diagnosed in Australia (1,596 males and 573 females). In 2020, it is estimated that 2,662 new cases of liver cancer will be diagnosed in Australia (1,923 males and 739 females).

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Figure 1. Estimated most common cancers diagnosed, 2020

Notes

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 web report and supplementary data tables
• More information about incidence rates for the most common cancers diagnosed can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer incidence’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/diagnosis/cancer-incidence/cancer-incidence)

In 2016, the age-standardised incidence rate was 7.7 cases per 100,000 persons (12 for males and 3.8 for females). In 2020, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will increase slightly to 8.6 cases per 100,000 persons (13 for males and 4.5 for females). The incidence rate for liver cancer is expected to increase with age, peaking at age group 80−84.

Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for liver cancer, 1982 to 2016, by sex

Notes

• Data sourced from AIHW 2018 Cancer Data in Australia, ACIM books, and Cancer in Australia 2019 report and supplementary data tables
• More information about incidence rates for liver cancer over time, by age, sex, Indigenous status, remoteness, and socioeconomic status (SES) can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer incidence’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/diagnosis/cancer-incidence/cancer-incidence)

The number of new cases of liver cancer diagnosed increased from 228 (167 males and 61 females) in 1982 to 2,170 in 2016. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate increased from 1.8 cases per 100,000 persons (2.9 for males and 0.9 for females) in 1982 to 7.7 cases per 100,000 in 2016.

Deaths

In 2018, liver cancer was the 7th most common cause of cancer death in Australia. It is estimated that it will remain the 7th most common cause of death from cancer in 2020.

In 2018, there were 2,104 deaths from liver cancer in Australia (1,414 males and 690 females). In 2020, it is estimated that there will be 2,297 deaths (1,509 males and 788 females).

Figure 3. Estimated most common causes of cancer death, 2020

Notes

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 web report and supplementary data tables
• More information about mortality rates for the most common causes of cancer death can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer mortality’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/outcomes/cancer-mortality/cancer-mortality)

In 2018, the age-standardised mortality rate was 7.0 deaths per 100,000 persons (10 for males and 4.3 for females). In 2020, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 7.3 deaths per 100,000 persons (10 for males and 4.7 for females). The mortality rate for liver cancer is expected to increase with age.

Figure 4. Age-standardised mortality rates for liver cancer, 1982 to 2018, by sex

Notes

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 web report and supplementary data tables
• More information about mortality rates for liver cancer over time, by age, sex, Indigenous status, remoteness, and socioeconomic status (SES) can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer mortality’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/outcomes/cancer-mortality/cancer-mortality)

The number of deaths from liver cancer increased from 282 (185 males and 97 females) in 1982 to 2,104 in 2018. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate increased from 2.3 deaths per 100,000 persons (3.3 for males and 1.5 for females) in 1982 to 7.0 deaths per 100,000 in 2018.

Survival

In 2012–2016, individuals diagnosed with liver cancer had a 20% chance (20% for males and 17% for females) of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population. Between 1987–1991 and 2012–2016, five-year relative survival for liver cancer improved from 6% to 20%.

Figure 5. 5-year relative survival for liver cancer, 1987–1991 to 2012–2016, by sex

Notes

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 web report and supplementary data tables
• More information about 5-year relative survival rates for liver cancer over time, by age, sex, Indigenous status, remoteness, and socioeconomic status (SES) can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Relative survival rate’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/outcomes/relative-survival-rate/5-year-relative-survival)

Prevalence

At the end of 2015, there were 1,379 people living who had been diagnosed with liver cancer that year, 3,431 people living who had been diagnosed with liver cancer in the previous 5 years (from 2011 to 2015) and 5,056 people living who had been diagnosed with liver cancer in the previous 34 years (from 1982 to 2015).

For more information, see Liver cancer on the NCCI website

The National Cancer Control Indicators (NCCI) are a set of indicators across the continuum of cancer care, from Prevention and Screening through to Diagnosis, Treatment, Psychosocial care, Research and Outcomes.  The NCCI website allows users to see visual representations of data on each indicator through interactive charts.