To schedule an appointment with a Jefferson physician call 1-800-JEFF-NOW or click here. To contact the Liver Tumor Program team at Jefferson, please call 215-503-8752 and/or fax your records to 215-503-8755.

A diagnosis of liver cancer or a related disease can be scary and overwhelming. At the Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, we follow a clear, patient-friendly process to help guide our patients and their families through diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care.

What to Expect
Here’s a high-level overview of what to expect, step by step:

1. Typically, we receive an initial phone call from a doctor, a patient or a family member. During that call, we will request that a complete set of medical records be sent to Jefferson for our review. Within two weeks of receiving all records, we will schedule an appointment in our clinic.
2. Typically, primary liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) is suspected due to rising enzymes of alfa-fetoprotein (AFP) in a patient with probable hepatitis and/or cirrhosis. Another indicator is a CT scan or MRI scan of liver with a visible mass.
3. The next step is a percutaneous (through the skin) core biopsy of the mass. Performed under ultrasound guidance, the biopsy can confirm the diagnosis of liver cancer.
4. If it is cancer, we will order a CT scan of the chest and pelvis to determine whether or not the liver cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
5. Your next step is an evaluation by a Jefferson oncologist in the Liver Tumor Program clinic. This will include consultation, physical exam, blood work for lab tests and discussion of treatment options.
6. Using that evaluation and the results of all previous testing, Jefferson’s Liver Tumor Board will discuss the treatment options and formulate an individualized, integrated treatment plan.
7. From there, we will obtain patient consent for treatment, study participation and entry into the tumor/cancer data registry. We will also identify resources for psychological evaluation and counseling, as needed.
8. The final step is the execution of your treatment plan.

Contact us
To schedule an appointment with a Jefferson physician call 1-800-JEFF-NOW or click here.

To contact the Liver Tumor Program team at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson, please call 215-503-8752 and/or fax your records to 215-503-8755. We aim to schedule your first clinic visit within two weeks of your diagnosis being made and records being received.