Signs and symptoms of liver cancer

In the early stages of primary liver cancer (also called hepatocellular carcinoma or HCC), there are often no symptoms.

If you have long-term (chronic) liver disease, you usually have regular tests to check the liver. How often you have these tests will depend on the liver unit or hospital you attend.

If you develop HCC, these tests may find it before you have any symptoms.

• loss of appetite and feeling full soon after starting to eat
• weight loss for no obvious reason
• feeling sick (nausea) and being sick (vomiting)
• tiredness (fatigue)
• aching or pain on the right side of the tummy (abdomen) near the ribs, and sometimes in the right shoulder
• bruising or bleeding easily
• a high temperature and flu-like symptoms, such as aching all over
• a swollen tummy, which may be caused by fluid build-up (ascites)
• the skin and whites of the eyes looking yellow (jaundice).

These symptoms can be caused by other conditions. But it is important to get them checked by your doctor or nurse. It is especially important to get them checked if you have risk factors for liver cancer.

We understand that showing any symptoms of cancer is worrying. The most important thing is to speak to your GP as soon as possible. We're also here if you need someone to talk to. You can:

• Call the Macmillan Support Line for free on 0808 808 00 00. 
• Chat to our specialists online.