Secondary liver cancers. Gross specimen of a slice through a liver with secondary cancers (numerous pale lumps). Secondary cancers (metastases) spread from a primary cancer elsewhere in the body. These cancers spread from a breast cancer. Cancers are often inoperable at this stage, requiring systemic (whole body) treatments such as anti-cancer drugs to slow the spread of the cancer. The liver is the largest gland in the body. Its many vital roles include metabolising nutrients and detoxifying the blood. This complicates treatment of liver cancer, and the prognosis is poor.