Liver cancer accounted for 2.1% of all new cancer cases in 2000, ranking 8th among men and 18th among women. Its incidence has increased significantly over the past twenty years. This is due, on the one hand, to improved management of alcohol-related cirrhosis, which allows time for it to progress to cancer, and, on the other hand, to the increase in viral cirrhosis. Furthermore, diagnostic tests for primary liver cancer have evolved significantly over the past twenty years, and there are numerous treatment options, many of which have little or no validated evidence. Their current role is unclear. The objective of this study was to describe the management and survival of primary liver cancer in France, based on nine cancer registries. (R.A.)