Symptoms

As is the case with several other types of cancer, symptoms of liver cancer often do not appear in the early stages. As a result, liver cancer tends to be diagnosed at a more advanced stage.

When symptoms do appear, they can include:

• Losing weight without trying – significant weight is defined as losing more than 10% of your body weight.
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes) – this happens when the liver is not functioning properly. Your urine may be darker than normal, and your stools may be paler.
• Loss of appetite or feeling full after eating small amounts (bloating)
• Swollen tummy (abdomen) – caused by enlarged liver, usually felt as a mass under the ribs on the right hand-side of the abdomen.
• Pain in your abdomen or your right shoulder
• Itching – sometimes associated with jaundice.
• Feeling sick – sometimes associated with jaundice.

Do see your doctor if you have any of these symptoms, especially if you are at high risk.

A lot of these symptoms also occur with liver diseases and cirrhosis. If you have been diagnosed with a liver disease or cirrhosis, tell your doctor if you have any new or worsening symptoms.