What is a difference between liver cancer and cirrhosis of the liver?

See below: Cirrhosis is the replacement of normal tissues in the liver with scar tissue. This affects the functioning of the liver. Liver cancer is when cells in the liver begin growing out of control creating a tumor or mass.

See below: Cirrhosis is a condition brought on by chronic liver damage. The liver reacts by trying to regenerate, but also forming scar tissue within the liver as well. This chronic damage and regeneration causes disregulated growth which can then lead to liver cancer over a period of years.

One is a cancer: Liver cirrhosis is a disease of the liver that leads to severe scarring and ultimate dysfunction of the liver. Liver cancer can occur in the setting of cirrhosis and is seen in patients with cirrhosis due to hepatitis and alcohol abuse. Metastatic liver cancer can occur due to migration of cancer cells to the liver from another organ.

Scarring vs Cancer: Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver without malignancy though it is a risk factor for liver cancer.

Yes: Cirrhosis from some causes (hepatitis b / c, hemochromatosis, less likely alcohol) can become complicated by primary liver cancer. Cirrhosis itself is bad scarring of the liver, while liver cancer is a clone of liver cells growing out of control and eventually learning to invade.

Depends: Liver cancer can arise from cirrhosis which is called a primary liver cancer or hepatocellular cancer (HCC), or a secondary liver cancer meaning the cancer has come from somewhere else in the body (metastatic liver cancer). Either way, you need to see a liver specialist who can suggest options.