Liver cancer. Coloured transmission electron micrograph (TEM)of a section through a hepatocellular carcinoma in liver tissue. Malignant ductal hepatocytes line an acinus. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, also called malignant hepatoma) is the most common type of liver cancer. Most cases of HCC are secondary to either a viral hepatitis infection or cirrhosis. Treatment options of HCC and prognosis are dependent on many factors but especially on tumour size and staging. Tumour grade is also important. High-grade tumours will have a poor prognosis, while low-grade tumors may go unnoticed for many years. Human tissue. Magnification: x1600 when printed at 10 centimetres across