Symptoms of Liver Cancer

Liver cancer is the sixth most common cancer for men and the eleventh for women. It affects 250,000 to 1 million people annually. While its causes remain unknown, recognizing the symptoms of liver cancer can help you seek treatment sooner and increase your odds of a successful outcome.

Abdominal pain

Since the liver is located on the right of your body, you may experience pain on this side of your torso. If the cancer begins to spread through the liver, the pain may also spread to include your abdomen and back. Not everyone will experience pain, but if it is occurring it should be examined and monitored.

Lump

Some people may feel a slight lump or swelling on the side of their body where the liver is located. If this relatively noticeable symptom is present in your case, it is something that should not be ignored. The sooner you seek treatment and diagnosis, the better your chance of defying the statistics which show a high mortality rate for liver cancer.

Jaundice

The term "jaundice" refers to the skin and eyes beginning to take on a yellow hue. The presence of cells that are naturally foreign to the liver is what causes jaundice. If jaundice is present, the urine also may change to a dark color; this is a sign that a cancerous tumor has begun to block the liver's ducts.

Fatigue and weight loss

Liver cancer will cause the patient to feel fatigued, and it may also result in an overall loss of appetite. A liver cancer patient may eventually start to look tired and emaciated from not eating.

Liver cancer is a disease that affects many people. Understanding the symptoms and seeking immediate medical attention can make the difference in treatment options and even the difference between life and death.