Symptoms of primary liver cancer

In the early stages of primary liver cancer there are often no symptoms, or symptoms may be vague. If you have any symptoms that could be caused by liver cancer it’s important to have them checked by your GP, but remember they are common to many other conditions and most people with these symptoms won’t have cancer.

When symptoms occur, they may include the following:

• jaundice (which makes the skin and the whites of the eyes go yellow)
• ascites (a swelling caused by a build-up of fluid in the abdomen)
• pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen or the right shoulder.

 

Jaundice Back to top

Jaundice can occur if the liver isn’t working properly because of cancer or an underlying disease such as cirrhosis. It can also happen if the bile duct becomes blocked by cancer, which causes bile produced by the liver to flow back into the bloodstream. Jaundice makes the skin and the whites of the eyes go yellow and may make the skin very itchy. Other signs of jaundice are dark-coloured urine and pale stools (bowel motions).

Ascites Back to top

Sometimes fluid builds up in the abdomen and causes swelling known as ascites. There may be several possible reasons for this.

If ascites develops, a tube can be put into the abdomen to drain the fluid away.

We have more information about ascites|.

Whatever the cause, jaundice or ascites will always indicate a condition that needs medical attention and should not be ignored. Always have your GP check these symptoms.

Pain Back to top

People sometimes notice a vague discomfort in the upper abdomen, which may become painful. This is due to enlargement of the liver. Pain can sometimes also be felt in the right shoulder. This is known as referred pain and is due to the enlarged liver stimulating the nerves beneath the diaphragm (the sheet of muscle under the lungs) which are connected to nerves in the right shoulder.

Other symptoms Back to top

Vague symptoms that might occur include:

• loss of appetite
• weight loss
• feeling sick (nausea)
• weakness and tiredness (lethargy).

Some people may also develop a high temperature and feel shivery.