Liver Cancer Symptoms

Liver cancer (hepatic cancer) is malignant tumors that grow on the surface or inside the liver.  The most common type of liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and is often caused by Hepatitis C and Hepatitis B diseases.  Other less common types of liver cancer include: sarcoma, mesenchymal, hepatoblastoma, cholangiocarcinoma, lymphoma of the liver, and angiosarcoma/hemangiosarcoma.  Liver cancer is sometimes confused with liver metastases, a secondary form of cancer involving cancerous cells that originate from other organs and spread to the liver.  Unfortunately, liver cancer rarely exhibits symptoms until the latter stages, by which time it’s much more difficult to treat.

Liver cancer symptoms include:

Loss of appetite
Nausea and/or vomiting
Feeling full after a small meal
Enlarged spleen (mass under ribs on left side)
Enlarged liver (mass under ribs on right side)
Enlarged/visible veins beneath the stomach
Yellowing of skin/eyes (jaundice)
Pain in the abdomen or right shoulder blade
Abdomen swelling from fluid build-up

Since liver cancer is rarely diagnosed during its early stages, it often goes unnoticed until it’s progressed too far, but occasionally the cancer is accidentally diagnosed with medical imaging equipment.  If detected in the initial stages, liver cancer can be treated more effectively, so periodic screenings are recommended as a first-line defense against this type of cancer.  If you experience any of the listed symptoms, seek the help of a cancer specialist immediately for proper tests and treatment.