Is hepatoma (primary liver cancer) a particularly dangerous cancer?

Yes: Hepatocellular carcinoma is the 5th leading cancer worldwide. Risk factors are cirrhosis and/or hepatitis. Commonly asymptomatic, hcc is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage. Most patients are beyond cure at diagnosis. Many patients have poor liver function and cannot tolerate aggressive treatment. Survival rate can be >50% at 5 yrs for surgical candidates but is 1 year or less in most patients.

Hepatoma's dangerous: Best opportunity for cure is small tumor isolated to a resctable segment. While there are new agents, these are not highly responsive to chemotherapy or radiotherapy.