The American Cancer Society's most recent estimates for primary liver and bile duct cancers in the United States are for 2009:

• 22,620 new cases of primary liver cancer and bile duct cancer
• 18,160 deaths from liver cancer

This cancer is more common in men than in women. An average man's lifetime risk of getting liver or bile duct cancer is about 1 in 100, while an average woman's risk is about 1 in 250.

This cancer is much more common in developing countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia than in the United States. In many of these countries it is the most common type of cancer.

Last Medical Review: 01/09/2009
Last Revised: 05/06/2009