Is liver cancer or chronic viral hepatitis contagious?

Sep 23, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Gao Jun

Introduction

In general, liver cancer itself is not contagious, but chronic viral hepatitis can be transmitted. In daily life, it is important to avoid sharing personal items that may come into contact with blood, such as toothbrushes and razors. Individuals with chronic viral hepatitis should actively seek treatment to reduce the risk of virus transmission. Healthy individuals can enhance their resistance to related viral hepatitis through measures such as receiving the hepatitis B vaccine.

Under normal circumstances, liver cancer itself is not contagious, but chronic viral hepatitis can be transmitted. The detailed analysis is as follows:

Close daily contact with a liver cancer patient—such as sharing meals, handshakes, or hugs—does not lead to transmission of liver cancer. Liver cancer is a disease caused by malignant transformation of liver cells, and its development is related to abnormal cell proliferation. It does not possess the ability to spread between individuals, so isolation measures for liver cancer patients are unnecessary.

Chronic viral hepatitis, such as hepatitis B and hepatitis C, can be transmitted through specific routes. Hepatitis B spreads via blood, mother-to-child transmission, and sexual contact—for example, sharing syringes contaminated with the hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis C is primarily transmitted through blood, such as receiving blood products that have not undergone strict screening; ordinary daily contact generally does not lead to infection.

In daily life, avoid sharing personal items that may come into contact with blood, such as toothbrushes and razors. Patients with chronic viral hepatitis should actively receive treatment to reduce the risk of virus transmission. Healthy individuals can enhance their resistance to viral hepatitis by getting vaccinated against hepatitis B and other preventive measures.

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Can patients with liver cirrhosis and liver cancer undergo surgery?

In general, whether a patient with cirrhosis and liver cancer is eligible for surgery must be determined through a comprehensive evaluation based on the individual's specific medical condition. If any discomfort occurs, prompt medical consultation is recommended so that a specialist can perform a thorough assessment and develop a personalized treatment plan. An experienced medical team should be selected for evaluation and treatment to ensure an individualized approach. During treatment, it is essential to strictly follow the doctor's instructions.

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What are the ultrasound findings of primary liver cancer?

Primary liver cancer, a malignant tumor originating from hepatocytes or intrahepatic biliary epithelial cells, typically presents on ultrasound as abnormal echogenicity of liver masses, characteristics of mass margins, internal structural changes of the mass, abnormalities in intrahepatic blood vessels, and alterations in perihilar tissues. Patients are advised to undergo regular follow-up liver ultrasounds to closely monitor lesion changes and strictly adhere to the treatment plan prescribed by their physician.

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What is the role of using albumin in advanced liver cancer?

In general, the use of albumin in advanced liver cancer serves to correct hypoalbuminemia, assist in controlling ascites, improve coagulation function, reduce tissue edema, and enhance the body's tolerance to treatment. Albumin is considered a symptomatic supportive therapy in advanced liver cancer and should be used strictly according to clinical indications. It should only be administered when hypoalbuminemia is clearly present or when accompanied by severe ascites or edema, and should not be given indiscriminately.

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Can lung cancer turning into liver cancer be contagious?

In general, the spread of lung cancer to the liver is not contagious; there is no need to worry about transmission whether having daily contact with or living together with a patient. From the nature of cancer, both lung cancer and liver cancer are malignant tumors caused by uncontrolled abnormal proliferation of the body's own cells, rather than infections due to pathogens such as bacteria or viruses. The defining characteristic of infectious diseases is the transmission of pathogens through specific routes.